heart2heart conversations

Unexpected Blessings

2010-01-25T22:43:00.007-06:00

I took my mom to the airport today for her flight home to Oregon. She had been here to watch my two youngest while my eldest and I made a mission trip to India.
Due to medical reasons, our trip was cut short when we reached New Jersey. My daughter and I were forced to return to Texas by train. These totally unforeseen circumstances resulted in many unexpected blessing for my family. First, my daughter and I (though very sad and a bit confused about not getting to go to Sarah's) were given the opportunity to spend some very quiet, one on one time with each other. She is almost fourteen. I realize that she is nearly grown! I'll blink again, and she may be out of the house!!! (ouch) We made many memories together as we traveled home and I will always cherish our "unexpected adventure".
The second blessing was that I spent a week with my mother, who came to watch my other children in our absence. I had not seen her in a year and a half.
This visit was especially wonderful to me because this past year she went through chemotherapy, and so we are keenly aware that each day with her is a very special gift.
I do not always understand God's ways, but I do always trust Him.
"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."- Proverbs 16:9

What We Don't See

2010-01-21T22:24:00.002-06:00

Let me be a stitch in the eternal fabric being woven by God.

Lord, thank you for letting me see today that you are taking my simple responses and using them for your eternal purposes. Thank you for using me in spite of me! Help me to be as pliable clay in your hands, and a vessel for your use.

New Post

2009-12-15T08:43:00.002-06:00

Gosh...I don't really have time for this anymore. This is way I gave it up months ago. But since I'm posting comments on blogs, I figure someone might pop in over here and wonder why this blog died.
I don't know if it is dead yet or just comatose. Between homeschooling, running a bookstore,etc. Well, you get it.

Another Kind of Fever

2009-03-11T23:36:00.003-06:00

I'm doing some research on some symptoms that I've been experiencing lately and I think that I can safely say that I have fallen under the influence of what many call "chicken fever". It must be a real illness because if you google it, it pops up on the screen, page after page..."chicken fever".
It all started many years ago when my husband brought home 7 books on homesteading. Anytime he wants to do anything, he buys all the books he can find on the subject. This may have something to do with why we have a bookstore now. But for years now I have devoured these books., especially the chapters on gardening, chickens and goats. My real symptoms started the day that my husband finally gave into my request to buy myself a few laying hens. I was as shocked as can be when he agreed to let his father build me a coupe and yard during their visit from Indiana recently. My father-in-law wasted no time getting my "neat as a pin coupe and yard" built. Those were Buddy's exact words..."It must be as neat as a pen. I don't want to look like pwt." I had to laugh. (This was the same weeks he moved his "been on the bottom of the lake" sailboat into our driveway!) So, Buddy's dad made sure the coupe and yard looked cute.
It IS so cute..and yes I am aware that it sounds weird to be so enamored with my coupe and hens...but they are simply lovely. I can't help but stand at my kitchen window in the morning and watch them scratch and peck, while I sip my morning Chai-tea (because I am TRYING to give up coffee, but that is another post entirely).

Spring Fever

2009-03-09T23:16:00.002-06:00

It's upon us once again. Spring, glorious spring...it has arrived in our corner of Texas. I called my mom in Oregon (where it was snowing today) to gloat about my irises, which are in full bloom and to tell her that the kids were in the pool twice last week ( personally I think they are crazy).
Yes...spring is here...and unlike every other living thing I'm plum wore out!
I'm so tired! This time change thing always messes with me . It normally takes a week to get my body back into the swing of things. It probably doesn't help that I haven't slept for more than 5 hrs. any of of past 4 nights... or that we are in the height of allergy season...the trees are all in bloom. I went out to my black Yukon this morning only...it wasn't black anymore it was YELLOW (no joke).
I went into Wal-mart tonight to pick up a few things for the bookstore and found myself wondering once again through the gardening section...this will be my detour for the next 4 months. I had promised myself this year that I wasn't going to purchase anything that wasn't edible. I have been gardening for many years now and can lay down some serious cash during this season. Being in a recession and all I decided to grow some food, which I attempt every year, but have never succeeded to get even enough veggies for a single salad! So I picked up some more tomato plants...can't ever have enough of those...besides last year I planted six plants and harvested 2...count them 2 tomatoes...so this year I have now planted 22 plants...which if I apply last years math to this years tomato plants, I can expect to reap 7.3 tomatoes this summer. LOL, maybe I should plant some more?
Okay so back to my trip to the garden section. I also picked up some zucchini, and some yellow squash, and an oregano plant, because I killed my 6 year old plant when I moved it. Oh yeah...and I bought a flat of nice big yellow marigolds. I figured that the marigolds don't count against my declaration that I would only plant edibles, seeing that you CAN eat marigold flowers... or so I've read in my Country Living Magazine. So I didn't break my rule for this gardening season...yet. I don't know why I make up stupid rules for myself and force myself to do things I don't want to do, and go without doing things I want to do. I guess it is called self-discipline. Something my parents taught me I suppose.- Cherie

Top 10 Blessings of This Last Week

2009-02-15T23:50:00.004-06:00

#10 - We ate 19 meals at home this week (or made at home and packed to eat on the road!). ..only 2 were eaten out.
#9- I managed to catch a glimpse of the bottom of the laundry hamper ( even if it was only for 12 short hours).
#8- My Valentine remembered me!
#7- We got rid of one of our sailboats, saving $80 in marina fees/mo.
#6- We had a great week at the bookstore.
#5- Everyone was healthy this week...with the exception of an outbreak of poison ivy that required a shot, but is no bother now!
#4- My sister called me today...we rarely connect. It was good to hear that she is doing well.
#3- Mom's second round of chemo seems to have gone well. She has remained healthy and chipper this time around. Praise the Lord!
#2- My Valentine still has a job! With such an uncertain economy and so many out of work, I am continually humbled and grateful by the way that God has provided for us well beyond our needs.
#1- God's grace was sufficient to face all the other things that happened during this past week that seemed more trying... "For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose."Rom.8:28

"Call 911"

2009-02-06T00:53:00.002-06:00

"Call 911", I screamed at my father-in-law as I rushed into my house in attempts to find the source of the dense charcoal haze. Just seconds later I emerged from the house with a large skillet of charcoal chicken stir fry. How it happened will always haunt me.
It wasn't a crazy busy day. I had almost finished schooling the kids when I had to go out and "put out a fire" at the bookstore. Upon my return home, I was a little embarrassed to find that my mother-in-law had totally cleaned my laundry room, which was a COMPLETE disaster area. I had intended on giving it a good cleaning that night while everyone was asleep. I might also have
been a little psyched-out by her reorganizing my pantry items with all the labels facing out and in ALPHABETICAL ORDER. But tonight would be the night that I would show off MY skills. I had just finished cooking up an Asian masterpiece, of which we would all soon be partakers... right after a quick trip to our store.
I drove away from the house feeling confident that THIS trip I would show my mother-law that I could successfully juggle the many hats that I had come to wear since having married her son 17 years ago. I was sure that the use of my time management skills, which my husband would like me to employ more often than JUST when his parent are around, would surely pay off. Buddy would NOT have to take us out to dinner, and I would avoid having to hear my mother-in-law remind me about how much money we would save if we didn't eat out so much...yada, yada, yada. ( I write this in love and fun. She reads my blog.) Back to my confidence...today I would prove myself a time-management success...HA!
I showed them our labor of love (the bookstore/coffee shop), we drank lattes and shut down the shop. Stir fried Chicken, here we come...
As I approached the door to my house, I could hear the alarms. I was bewildered by the thick black smoke. Not seeing flames I rushed in to find the source...there sat my Asian masterpiece still cooking!
We didn't eat out that night. We had ham sandwiches. I'm sure that there is some lesson to be learned, although I still don't know what it is! Pray for me though, my house smells like a huge bag of charcoal.

2009-02-06T00:52:00.000-06:00

Preteen Rally

2009-02-04T23:46:00.004-06:00

In hopes of getting some new activity here, I have asked my daughters if they would like to contribute to this blog. Today I am handing this post over to my to my daughter Laurel.

Hi, I was wondering if your family needs a night off from sitting around and watching TV.

I would encourage you to go to a preteen rally Friday, 02/06/09 @ 7-9:30 pm and Saturday 02/07/09 @ 12-8:00 pm. It will be held at First Baptist Church of Gun Barrel City, Texas.

The guest speaker will be Glenn Ray Little. I heard him at Piney Woods. The way he acts out his stories is hilarious! The Chris Allen Band will be playing. I have never heard them, but my sister has and she loved them.

It is for grades 2-6, but my whole family is going. So I encourage you to take your whole family. It is free and fun!

Time for an Anedote

2008-11-03T13:57:00.002-06:00

My husband decided that we should open a bookstore and coffee shop this past May, which is my explanation as to why there are no blog entries since April. I have decided though that there is surely a free moment today to share some of the funny and truth revealing comments I overheard this morning from the dining room table, as I was eves dropping from the kitchen sink.
"Would you rather have a perfect sister or a perfect mother?", inquired my youngest daughter of my middle daughter.
"Does that mean I would have to have a different mother?", questions the middle daughter.
" Yes, it means you have to change moms.", responds the youngest.
"Well, I don't want a different mom...

Such truth...I didn't know whether to be offended or tickled. I decided to be tickled since there is no hope for my perfection this side of heaven!

Shelter

2008-04-27T00:10:00.004-06:00

Our praise band has the great privilege to lead worship and preach at a women's shelter once a month. It is always such a delight to see how God uses that time to reveal himself to both the members of our band and to the ladies living at the shelter. Tonight was no exception.

I have been very sick for 2 days. The Texas allergens have really taken their toll on me and I spent half of the day in bed. I considered staying home tonight but knew that the Lord always has something special in store for these evenings at the shelter and who wants to miss out on seeing God's hand at work, right?

It is so wonderful to see these women worship. They never seemed concerned about who else might be looking on. They ex hue complete gratefulness before the Lord. There is always a great feeling of humility, which I think must please the Lord. I am attracted to their humility. Most of these women have completely hit bottom. Many have come from terribly abusive situations, some are seeking freedom from a lifetime of addictions, there are many who have lost their children as a result. These women know that they were lost and now they are just so grateful to be found.

Each time we have gone to minister there I always have had the opportunity to pray with a woman. Tonight a woman approached me and asked if I would pray for her. She shared that 2 weeks ago she left her husband , who is a drug dealer. She has been off crack for 2 weeks. She hadn't seen her 11 year old son in 3 years and her 2 month old daughter was taken from her at the hospital because she was born addicted to crack.

This is not the first time I have heard stories like this. Since leaving our church almost a year ago, and joining a church plant, we have heard too many stories just like this one. It is heart breaking and causes me to wonder how it is that God saw fit to intervene in my life so early...I could have been just like her. I know that there was nothing in me that sought God. My heart was as evil as anyone else...but God saved me just in time, before I would have to suffer a lifetime of consequences for my rebellion. By this realization I am humbled, and grateful that He saved me when it was still early.

I could have been just like her.

Raising Weirdos

2008-04-24T00:29:00.001-06:00

Okay, somebody pinch me. I must be dreaming or someone may have replaced my daughter with one of those Stepford kids or something.
It is well after midnight and my seven year old comes down stairs and says, "Mom, I don't know why but I just want to do math." Of course I sent her back to bed.
What is that about?

CHAOS otherwise known as "Can't Have anyone over Syndrome"

2008-04-23T10:09:00.009-06:00

My mom has been trying to get me to go to this http://flylady.net/ for some time now. I've been resistant to it because it is like hearing my mom telling me to go clean my room all over again....yuck! Anyhow, I visited the site today ( at mom's request) and it is so great. I think this could really change the way I clean...or get me to clean! hehehe. I encourage any of my mom friends to take a look. I think that I could actually use this to motivate my kids to help me keep on top of the house. I think this could be revolutionary in my life. Go fly lady!

Strawberry Picking

2008-04-12T22:34:00.006-06:00

When I was a little girl growing up in California, my mom would take us cherry picking every summer. Well...it probably wasn't every summer. It was probably only 3 times...but I like to remember it like it was ever summer...such sweet memories. So years ago when I learned that you could grow blueberries in Texas, I looked for somewhere to take my kids blueberry picking. We have been to several blueberry farms but my favorite by far is in La Rue, TX...BIGGEST, JUICIEST BLUEBERRIES YA EVER SAW!

This year I decided to expand our fruit picking experience to include strawberries. A friend told me of a place just an hour from my house where we can go out and pick our own strawberries. The farm is in Fairfield, The Berry Patch. The drive down the old farm roads was beautiful. The weather was perfect and the berries were huge! After picking blueberries for years, it seemed so strange to drive that far and have our berries picked so quickly. Those huge things fill up a basket in no time flat! I think that we ended up with 17 lbs. We ate strawberry shortcake last night and then I finished freezing the rest tonight, for smoothies, pies and such.

Later this summer we want to go peach picking...I'm scouting out a couple places. I can already taste the homemade peach ice cream. Yum, yum...

Sheltered

2008-04-09T22:16:00.003-06:00

Third Graders Plot to Kill Teacher: Center Elementary Students Busted
By Jo Anne WayApr 3, 2008

A group of third-graders at Center Elementary School in south Georgia in Atlanta hatched an elaborate plot to kill their teacher, but the plan was found out and foiled last Friday when another student reported that a child had brought a weapon to school. In a shocking development these young Elementary School students aged 8-10 were linked to a planned attack on their Waycross, Georgia, teacher.
Center Elementary Students Busted (Image: Waycross Police Department)Her crime, she had allegedly scolded one of them for standing on a chair. The plan was very specific. They would knock the teacher unconscious with a paperweight, bind her with toy handcuffs and duct tape, and then stab her with a steak knife, police said. (See photo) Each student would have a specific role in the plot.
***One child's job was to cover the windows so know one outside could witness the attack and another would clean up after the attack. In another stunning development that has many observers baffled, children in Georgia can't be charged with a crime unless they are at least 13, but a juvenile court judge can declare those younger delinquent, state law says. Still police have said that the three students who brought the paperweight, the cuffs and the tape have been arrested. District Attorney Rick Currie told the Times-Union newspaper that Georgia has no detention facilities, however, for anyone as young as the third-graders.
***The paper notes that the children could be housed in a detention center with older youths unless a more appropriate facility was found and approved by the juvenile court, citing Currie as the source. The report also notes that it's possible they could be remanded to the custody of their parents, if the court deems them capable of maintaining control over the youngsters, he said.

I have many times in the past be criticized for choosing to educate my children at home. One of the most common of these criticisms is that I will shelter my children from the "real world" and that they won't know how to deal with it when they get old enough to have to go live and work in it.

I don't really shelter my children...I just keep them close enough so that we can plan together the best way to engage this sick culture. They are not unaware of the evils of this world. I just prefer to be at their sides when they have so see how sad and sick the world truly is. May God help us all!

My heart and prayers go out to these children and their families. What on earth could cause someone who is my daughters age (9) even to think along these lines? This so disturbing to me.

Beautiful Morning!

2008-04-08T06:07:00.003-06:00

"Ooooh, what a beautiful mornig, oh what a beautiful day. I've got a wonderful feeling everything's going my way."

I was just walking Buddy out to the car this morning and broke out in this song from the musical, Oklahoma. My dad used to sing it to wake us up in the mornings. Isn't spring beautiful?

April Fools...Don't Be One!

2008-04-01T08:05:00.007-06:00

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalms 53

Psalm 74:22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.
Psalm 107:17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
Proverbs 10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Proverbs 10:10 He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Proverbs 10:14 Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
Proverbs 10:18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 10:23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
Proverbs 11:29 He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:23A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
Proverbs 13:19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Proverbs 14:9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control
.Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
Matthew 7:26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like the foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
1 Timothy 6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
2 Timothy 2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
Titus 3:3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
James 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?
1 Peter 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

My Battlefield , My Mind

2008-03-27T05:28:00.007-06:00

I had the cutest idea for a post on this my birthday. Darn it, for the life of me I can't remember how it was suppose to go, but it was very clever. You would have laughed and thought to yourself, "that Cherie is a such a clever gal." But alas, my thoughts go as quick as they come, and you will now just have to endure my sleepless ramblings. This post is dedicated to my friends who love me, and endure my ramblings. Wisdom would probably instruct me not to be posting anything after only 6 hrs. sleep over a 2 night period, but the other alternative was writing the paper that I have due on Monday...and of course blogging wins out on the list of priorities there, right! (Just remember to pray for me when you are finished reading :)
MY mind, my mind...oh yes, my mind is a constant battlefield. I would say that it is the playing field where I have experienced my greatest thrills of spiritual victory and the most agonizing spiritual defeats. Where my mind spends time, the other members of my body most often follow suit. As I wrote earlier in the week, I have had kind of a challenging week in the area of keeping the right attitude. I know that I am not the only one who is having a rough week, so this post is not for the purpose of comparing my "bad" week to anyone else's, but to share with you how frustrated I am with the inconsistency I see in my own life and how I want to mature in this area.
Consistency is what I look for when I am trying to gauge growth in my children's learning. If they know how to spell "absurd" on Monday but can't come up with the correct spelling for the spelling test on Friday, or can't spell the word correctly 2 weeks after the test, then they haven't learned how to spell absurd ( that is one of the spelling words for this week). That I can cry in one breath, "oh, how I love Jesus!" and in another complain about my circumstances, even curse them in my mind, then I have to ask myself, am I showing any growth? Where is my spiritual maturity? Example:( Last week) Our pool had turned into a swamp over the winter months and I was advised by a pro. to drain, clean and refill and the call him back. I thought to myself, "great, when this guy comes back to check the chemicals and filter I'm going to tell him about Jesus and invite him to lifegroup. (This Tuesday) My vinyl liner pulls completely out of the framework and I find myself standing in the bottom my pool cursing this man over and over in my mind.
Taking my thoughts captive is a daily exercises of obedience to Christ. I will just admit that I often fail terribly in this area, because I have become very good at "looking" like I am walking in the Spirit, when in reality my mind is playing some other pitiful, selfish, sinful scenario over and over. I WANT to love Christ well, but am painfully and keenly aware that He says that if I love Him , I WILL OBEY His commandments. I don't want the kind of outward obedience that becomes a show that I put on for men to see, but the obedience that is the result of a God transformed life. It is a consistent, inward and outward, heart, soul and mind renewing experience that I desire. It comes with spending time with God everyday, washing my mind with the renewing power of His Word. It comes with thinking on those things which are true, noble, kind, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy and taking captive the thoughts that are not. Once those thoughts are captive, they must be placed subject to the authority of Christ...that means I confess they are worthless, that I am wrong and ask for the Holy Spirit to take control of my thoughts, which almost always results in me realising the truth about the circumstances...like that they are an opportunity be grateful or to be challenged and show growth. If the circumstances are a result of a bad choice in my life, then it is an opportunity to admit error, ask for forgiveness, and make things as right as possible. Again...it is an opportunity to learn and grow, and I pray that someday I will look at my life and see more consistency in this area. I live and I learn...and here is to 37 years that God has given me on this earth so far. Happy Birthday to me! May the years to follow show that I am growing in Him!

Remember To Count Your Blessings

2008-03-25T21:43:00.004-06:00

A few posts ago I wrote about how we can ask, "what has God done for us lately?" After two rough days this week I decided that I MUST spend some time refocusing. I have been consumed with "have to get dones" and "not working outs" and need to reframe my perspective on life. So here it goes... (counting my blessings)

1. God looked down on me and called me to Him, cleaned me up and filled me with His Spirit.
(okay, that's enough to change my perspective! but I will continue...I owe God that much after my stinky attitude over the past 2 days.)
2. I am having my 37th birthday this Thursday...nineteen of which I have spent loving, and following Jesus Christ. (The other 18 years serve as valuable experience, I've been there, done it, and know that I never want to go back!)
3. God has blessed me with a husband who loves Christ, and God continues to work in his life.
4. God loved me as I was, but loves me enough not to leave me that way. God is not finished with me yet!!! He is faithful to complete the work He has started in me.
5. Buddy and I will be having our 16 th wedding anniversary this next month.
6.I have 3 healthy, beautiful, intelligent daughters and the great privilege that God has given me to teach them about surrendering their lives to Him (everyday).
7. His super-abundant provision in our lives. (Our daily bread + roof, clothing, transportation, and so on, and so on...)
8. Friends who love the Lord and encourage us to continue.
9. The daily opportunity of seeing God's hand at work in our lives and in the lives of countless others! We do not serve a God that we only read about in the Bible, but a God who is alive and well and at work in awesome ways every day. We have stuff to talk about!
10. More specific things that have happened that I am thankful for include...

Making some long awaited break throughs in my eldest daughter's math.
New interest in playing instruments ( my kids). I love music!
Buddy's tuition being completely paid for (2 semesters in a row!!)
Me getting to go back to school.
That it is Spring and my garden is in bloom.
That we are getting $ back from the IRS this year. lol
My Clariten seems to be working this allergy season:)
I get a date night with my husband this Friday.
We are scheduled to go to my parent's house this summer...I haven't been in 7 years.
I will probably think of 10 more things that I should have written down as soon as I go to bed...but this is a good start.
Remember to count your blessings too!

Garden Party

2008-03-17T07:44:00.004-06:00

A Garden Party,I'm finally having one! I have wanted to for years. I always want the gardens to be perfect first, then I realized that I've been at this gardening thing several years now and it is never perfect...just in a perpetual state of becoming more like the fantasy garden I see in my mind. It is my quiet place to reflect on all that God has done, a spiritual experience of a sorts, where His creation speaks about Him (which is always affirmed by what His Word has already said about Him). God has taught me many lessons out in my garden, lessons of patience, of discipline, of weathering trials, etc. I've decided to invite all my gardening neighbor ladies (there are many of them!). I thought that we could bring things to exchange...seeds, rhizomes, cuttings. I for one am hoping that the neighbor out front will bring some of her yellow Cannas. I am over- run with orange, but have wanted yellow for a long time. So, I am planning on hand delivering the invitations today. My real aim is to build a closer community here in my neighborhood. Life moves so fast and it is hard to connect with people. I want to connect with my neighbors and allow God to use me to share His love with them. So if you are in the neighborhood and don't mind getting your hands a little dirty, drop by we would love to share our seeds, a snack and the love of Christ. Party to be held Saturday, March 29nd @ 2pm.

Open Wide!

2008-03-12T23:02:00.009-06:00

Okay, I'm embarrassed to admit it , but here it is for all of blogdom to read. It had been 18 years since I had been to the dentist. GASP!

My parents would just die if they knew that all the money they had spent to extract and straighten these pearlies has been so mismanaged. As I reflect on how this could have happened, I have determined that it is entirely my childhood dentist's fault. Bob Barrington, DDS is at fault for me being unable to see another dentist. I saw the same wonderful, gentle dentist for all of my childhood. He had a sweet hygienist who would brush our teeth with those cool, swirly brushing machines. She would always let us choose which flavor of fluoride we would soak in...I always chose bubblegum and when it came time to "spit it all out", as she would instruct, I would always just split for a bit so that I could secretly relish the wonderful bubblegum flavor (of course they never told you why you should spit it all out). At the end of the cleaning he had this cool treasure chest with real treasures! Ok, they seemed like real treasure to a eight year old. There were a few times that I required a few fillings...no biggie, Dr. Bob would have me sit in that cool chair...the one facing that huge picture window, and as I looked out at the birds in the pine trees outside his office, he would slip on that funny dentist mask and shine that bright light in my face, all the while gently talking to me about whatever interested me at that season in my life. NEVER, EVER did I feel any amount of discomfort or pain. It wasn't until I was eighteen that I realized that there were even needles involved in dentistry. When I found this out I told my friends that MY dentist "wiggled my teeth to sleep"...because that's what DR. Bob always told me he was doing. Since then I have seen grown men and women cry over having just come from, or having to go to the dentist. I have had to hold my children's hands while they cry in pain in the dentist chair. I have had to administer drugs (Dr. prescribed of course) to my husband before a visit to the dentist and prayed that I could move him from the house to the car on my own because he was so "out of it". Dr. Bob where are you? What happened to the wonderful world of bubblegum fluoride, swirly brushes and treasure chests.

Well, I finally saw a dentist this past week. The report wasn't as bad as I had feared. I don't have thousands of dollars of work...but I do have some work that needs done. I am scheduled to go back in April. This initial visit was pleasant ( but no bubblegum fluoride, treasure chest or picture window), jury is still out on this one. There will have to be a sequel to this blog post. More to come on my dentistry dilemma...Life After DR. Bob.

Great Quote

2008-03-09T23:12:00.008-06:00

Today one of our elders started us off on a systematic study through the book of Acts. We have just finished the Gospel of Luke and I believe that our goal is to eventually get through Romans. Anyhow, he said something that just stuck in my brain all day. He said that, "If we loved God more we wouldn't cheat on Him so much." I loved it. It is so true. So all day I have thought about how I can grow my love for God. I thought about my relationship with my husband, to whom I have vowed lifetime faithfulness, and what it is I do to ensure my fidelity to him. I realized that these same components translate into my relationship with God. Here are some of my thoughts:
Time is a vital element in any growing relationship. I must spend time with God if my relationship is to remain strong and continue to grow. If Buddy and I never spoke again I wouldn't stop being his wife, but it sure would put our relationship to the test, and it could pose a threat to our fidelity to each other in the face of temptation. Likewise to nurture our love for God we must spend time in communication with Him, through the reading of the Scripture and in prayer and meditation. This is why True Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship...a living breathing, growing, daily walk with the One who created us for relationship.
What Have You Done For Me Lately? I'm going to show my age here! I remember that song by Janet Jackson,
"Well what' sup with this guy? Do you really like him that much?
Yes, honey, I looove him. He is fiiine, he does a lot of nice things for me.
I know he use to do nice stuff for you, but what has he done for you lately? "
It is funny but I can ask that question even about my relationship with God. What has He done for me lately? WOW...so much!!! I remember another song like that (different genre) "Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done." COUNT THEM! NAME THEM! BE GRATEFUL AND THEN THANK HIM! You will watch your love for Him skyrocket when you work on being grateful. If you have trouble getting started I suggest you start simple, like the things that you can't live without...food, water, air. Guess what? That was Him! Thank God.
Surrender to His Love. My husband and I have been mutually surrendered to each other for 16 years. I yield to him, he yields to me...we both yield to God. It works.
In the Bible it says that, "we love God, because He first loved us."
Knowing His love makes me love Him more. Knowing the price He paid (His Son) to make me His, how He loved me even when I was His enemy, how He is faithful in spite of my unfaithfulness, how He is God and I am not, how there is nothing I can give Him that He didn't give me first, how He looked on me with great love, picked me up, cleaned me off and put His Spirit in me, how could I not love Him?

So these are my thoughts on this Lord's Day and my practical application of God's Word in my life. Like my husband always says, " If we are just going to come and listen to God's Word, but do nothing to apply it to our lives, we might as well have just gone down to the IHOP for pancakes.
OR James1:21-25 "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. "

Time To Be Quiet

2008-03-04T22:23:00.007-06:00

I have recently gone through a bit of a "rough patch". Over the past month or so, my new found quietness has been taken in various ways...silence isn't always safe, as it allows for speculation, and speculation allows for misjudgement. I have learned that when I am tempted to judge another, I should try to err on the side of grace. (I don't always do this successfully, but it is my aim.) I'm looking for a community whose first instinct is grace. Grace is like glue, it will create eternal bonds between people. I have found yet another wise proverb by which to live.

Proverbs 10:19
"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise."

I will that God would make me a quieter person. I have always deeply admired ladies who have "gentle, quiet spirits." That has never been me, in the natural. People close to me have referred to me as a kind of whirlwind of activity and emotion. I admit that I would much rather be described as pensive and wise. This though will take an act of God, an act for which I am presently praying.

1 Peter 3: 3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

God help me.

Back On-line

2008-02-13T12:48:00.002-06:00

I'm finally back after a long blogger's vacation. My computer crashed over Christmas break. My husband told me that I could use his computer, but I know better than to mess with his stuff. I won't be blamed for any problem that he has with his computer. If anything happens to his computer the kids will have to take the blame! I remember when I was growing up, we kids got the blame for anything broken or missing. Mom says that when we moved out the blame transfered to her. I will remain blamelss for at least a few more years...hehe!

A Bad Thanksgiving Meal?

2007-11-14T22:33:00.000-06:00

My eldest daughter asked me the most curious question tonight. I thought that I would pose it to you.

"Have you ever had a bad Thanksgiving meal...like have you ever burned the turkey or something?"

I thought that her question was funny!

To answer it...I have never had a bad Thanksgiving meal. My mother, and mother-in-law are both fabulous cooks, and I don't do half bad myself!

Last year's Thanksgiving meal was especially wonderful. Buddy took us out to a little country diner. It is in Frankston, Tx. It was sooooo good that I actually considered making myself throw up just so that I could eat some more...sorry...tmi!

Some Peace and Quiet

2007-10-24T21:16:00.000-06:00

Peace and quiet is such a rare thing in our culture. I remember when my daughters were younger I use to reassure myself with the thought that as they got older and were
able to do more on their own that there would be less for me to do. WOW! I was so wrong. It seems that I just get busier every year.
This school year has been a big adjustment for us as we have taken on more extra curricular
activities. I use to make the kids take turns at after school activities...but it seems like everyone has a talent to exercise or a desire to fulfill. I have to be so very prayerful about what we take on in our schedule...God gives everyone the same 24 hours a day and I want to do a good job at managing the time He has given to us. What a huge responsibility that is! It is not getting any easier to discern between the good and the best for my family. There is SO MUCH GOOD stuff in which to be involved...but I have to find the best. I have to pray for God's constant wisdom.

I was bless with a wonderfully peaceful, quiet weekend. It was unlike any weekend I have experienced since I got married 16 years ago. My husband sent me off spontaneously to accompany a friend of ours on her trip to West Texas to see her sister. It was so last minute
that I didn't even have time to think of the 20 reasons that I probably should have stayed home...but I'm so glad that I went. It was the quietest days that I've had in a very, very long time. It was beautiful.
There are several memorable moments that stand out in my mind. The first is the 20 minutes that we spent sitting in the bleachers well before ANYONE got to the soccer fields. It was sunny and very windy...I had nothing to do and nothing to think about and I was just so grateful to be alive in the sun and the wind. It was the most relaxed I've felt in forever!

Sunday morning I went to church with my young friends. It was great to be around college aged believers...to know that there is a young generation out there that loves God enough to meet with Him and His people, not because their parents are making them, but because they are drawn to Him. It was refreshing and a real encouragement.

Finally, though it sound absurd, I relished the 5 hours we spent waiting in the airport for our flight home. I spent the hours visiting, perusing through a magazine, and people watching.

I am grateful to my very spontaneous husband for suggesting that I go and for picking up the slack on the home front. I am pleased to report that I returned to a spotless house...as good as I do (on the days I really try). I am grateful for a beautiful weekend of rest!

Family Tree

2007-10-04T15:30:00.000-06:00

At the prompting of our oldest daughter we have started to research our family ancestry. I 'm not quite sure what motivated her interest in the subject, but she did let me know that she has great hopes of, "finding out if we are related to some pirates or Pharaohs!"...I haven't ever heard of any Swedish pirates of Pharaohs? Who knows though...our search is on!

The girls were sooooo excited last night when Buddy dug up that we are distantly related to Elvis!!! He's not a pirate or a Pharaoh...but my eldest seemed satisfied with the discovery.

So...have any of you every researched your ancestry and are you related to anyone famous?

Mom's overture

2007-10-03T20:15:00.001-06:00

That's right!

No Fruity Pebbles

2007-09-30T00:19:00.001-06:00

It is late. I find that if I stay up past 10 I feel that hunger pain and need to eat again. Of course by this time of night I have cleaned up the kitchen and am not up to cooking another "meal" so...out comes the cereal. Well, much to my disappointment "someone" or a small clan of "someones" has eaten the last of the Fruity Pebbles.
Peering into the pantry in search of a satisfying mid-night snack, I saw the college students'
favorite friend...Ramen Noodles. I never did eat them when I was in college. By the time I got to go to college I had lived in Mexico for 5 yrs. and I was married. What does this mean you ask? Well...beans and scrambled eggs are the favorite food fare for the impoverished of Mexico. We ate beans and eggs when we were poor missionaries and when we were poor college students. Besides, Buddy won't touch Ramen, or boxed mac and cheese. He is spoiled to "real food".
So I sit here now eating my ramen noodles and waiting for my husband to finish his sermon for tomorrow. This is my way of showing support! Staying awake with him...I think it has something to do with his love language... Bud's love language= mutual suffering. Actually I think it was a part of our vows..." in sickness and in health, while he stays up all night writing his sermons, if he wakes you up to hear his worship set after you have laid down for bed... til death do you part?" I vaguely remember saying yes ( It is on video somewhere. He is thinner and I am have no crows feet or smile lines), so here I sit still awake at 2:31 am...with NO FRUITY PEBBLES TO BOOT!
I'd do it all over again if I had the chance. I love you Buddy!

I Didn't Play Fair!

2007-09-29T07:43:00.000-06:00

Sorry guys. I got on to my husband several weeks ago when he was "tagged" and complained about complying with the game. Then I was tagged and ignored it completely..."hypocrite!".
Didn't you hate it when you played tagged when you were little and you tagged someone but they just kept running...so frustrating to play with people that have no regards for the rules of the game! So, I apologize.

Here is my list of 7 things about me:
*I grew up in N. CA.
*I was raised by actively Christian parents.
*I swam competitively for 10 years.
*An unfulfilled desire of mine is to sing in a musical...like Oklahoma, Sound of Music, or My Fair Lady. I absolutely LOVE musicals!
*My favorite subject in school IS history. I have not quit being a student. I homeschool my kids and I go on learning right along side of them!
* I lived in a New Age commune for a year after I graduated. ( My parents spent that year on their knees for me!)
* I want to spend my retirement years as a gypsy/missionary, traveling to wherever the Spirit blows me and sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ.

I won't tag anyone else because everyone I know has already been tagged.

Thank you, thank you!

2007-09-26T07:32:00.000-06:00

I appreciate the response yesterday in my moment of crying out to the friends that God has placed in my everyday life. It is good to know that there is someone with "skin-on" that is concerned about me.

Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

I am unable to fully express my gratefulness to my High Priest and Savior for His great labor of love on my behalf...I know that you understand what I mean here. There is one area I struggle. (Well actually, there are so many areas where I struggle, but...) In regards to this passage in Hebrews I struggle with the fact that, though He sympathizes with my temptations, He cannot understand what is is to fail. ( THANK YOU LORD FOR THAT!!!!) I know that this is why we have been placed in each others lives. You are a miserable, stinky sinners just like me. So when I ask for you to pray for me or you console me, I know that you know what it is like to realize you just plain stink without Christ. So with all that said, thanks for praying and lifting me up before the only One that can keep me from falling and forgive me when I do. God help us all!

Hebrews 2:18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Prayer

2007-09-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hey friends ...I haven't had much time to blog lately and I apologize for being out of the loop. I am just making a short post to ask that you please pray for me. I am going through a rough spot right now and could really benefit from you intersession. I know I'll get through this but this morning has been especially difficult for me and I ask that you specifically ask for peace of mind for me. Thank you!

I'm Falling Off the Blogging Train

2007-09-13T23:01:00.000-06:00

Life has just been more hectic since school started back. I can't seem to divide myself any further...there is just not enough of me to go around! Or perhaps there is enough of me, but I'm just too unorganized to figure out how to be anymore productive??? That is probably more realistic. Anyhow, I'm exhausted and it is only September! What's a home school mom to do?

It seems no matter how psyched up I am at the beginning of a new school year by the time Christmas rolls around I am consumed with self doubt and sure that I am doing my kids some kind of injustice by attempting to educate them myself. This has been my lot in life for 7 years now. It's really a roller coaster of emotion. What if I ruin them??? What if they spell everything phonetically for the rest of their lives. The pressure!

To top this off I have been sick all week. The pressure and congestion in my head are keeping me from resting. I find myself at the computer now because I can't lay my head down for the pressure in my sinuses...pretty, I know! How can one be completely stuffed up and have a runny nose at the same time? Go figure? I've taken everything you could possibly suggest to me. The best remedy yet has been the vapor rub up my nose...yeah gross...but it relieves for a few minutes. I'm wondering if I could just melt that stuff down and drink it??? In Mexico we would boil eucalyptus leaves and drink the hot tea...but I haven't found any eucalyptus trees in the area?

So these are just the ramblings of a tired, sick home school mom. God is always good and I am grateful the occasional "rough" day that causes me to cling to Him tighter and to be grateful for His innumerable blessings.

Still Alive!

2007-09-05T19:50:00.000-06:00

We made it back from the deer lease alive! No snakebites, no heat stroke...and the kids had a great time. If you add to that that we got the feeders filled and one and a half deer stands hung, then we had a successful weekend.

I did get to witness God's hand on us twice. The first was when Buddy forgot to fill up the truck and the gas light went on over 30 miles from the nearest gas station. There is no way that my truck should have made it to up and down those hills, pulling our 26 ft. travel trailer...but God saw that it did. We were so grateful that we didn't get stuck on the side of a hill.
The second has to do with a purchase that Buddy made the girls. Against my better judgement Buddy purchased sling shots for all the girls. I just knew that someone was gonna " shoot their eye out". Buddy gave the regular lecture on sling shot safety and a stern warning about neglecting it, and sent them off to their demise. Being the "mother" that most moms are, I stuck close to the kids as they played that day...as if I was going to be able to defend them if a wild boar came roaming around the bend or they ventured to close to a rattle snake, or any of the other unseen dangers I conjured up in my mind. The problem with worrying is that normally you end up distracted by it while the real danger blindsides you. I never expected my over cautious child to be the one to mess up...but I was standing right next to her as she pulled the sling back and I watched that stone make a straight line directly for my other daughter's eye. I watched that stone turn abruptly and "unexplainable" ( well, explainable to me!) from it's course and go right around my daughter's head. I saw it as clear as day! God is so good to us and I know that He is worthy of my trust. He is always watching over us...and unlike a doting human mother ( as much as we try), He is actually able to keep His children safe!

My Machete

2007-08-30T22:27:00.000-06:00

I bought myself a machete at Lowes last night after church. I forgot to tell you that the grass (actually I haven't identified the plant yet?) at the deer lease is 6 stink'n feet tall. When we tried to get out of the truck and I lost my children in the grass. I was so afraid that we would step on snakes. So with my trusty new machete I will blaze a trail for us to walk safely back and forth from vehicle to deer stand. Pray for me. We will be spending this 3 day weekend getting things set up for hunting.
Sorry, there is nothing of any spiritual value in the post...just want you to pray for our safety and that no one dies of snake bites or heat stroke! Oh yeah...and that the kids still think it's fun after 3 days of work! Thanks :)

Weary of Sowing???

2007-08-29T16:18:00.000-06:00

Today has been an especially rough day. I found out that a young lady that I have been investing in has just been arrested AGAIN. Her life is so full of deceit. She is a GREAT liar. It always looks like she is ready making a break through with Christ when she shows up on my doorstep . For the last two and a half years, deceit has been her track record. At what point do I give up hope and say, "ENOUGH!!!" How do I keep my heart open to the needs of others when it seems that more often that not, the seed is being sown in what ends up being infertile soil?

As I cried out to the Lord out of frustration this afternoon He spoke very clearly to my heart, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." It was His voice clear as day. I stood there in my garden repeating the Lord's words to me over in my head. I just couldn't figure out how they exactly fit my situation with this girl and my weariness of sowing to infertile soil. I decided to come in the house and read the scripture in context...wow...what a delight to hear from God!

Galatians 6
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

So, I will not fret about sowing to infertile soil. It is from God that I have every resource; time money, talents, gifts. These are not wasted, as it might appear, when they are sown in the Name of Christ. As long as I sow in the Spirit...and I will reap eternal life. Though I CAN be mocked, deceived and taken advantage of...God cannot. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people...."

Deer Huntress

2007-08-25T20:01:00.000-06:00

I went out to my husband's deer lease today. It was my first official trip and I guess one of many trips to be made by my family this year! It has been three years since my husband's first hunting trip. Since then, he has participated faithfully in this yearly ritual. Up until this year I have observed from afar and can only say that with what we have spent each year on deer hunting, I could have bought a brand new upright freezer EACH YEAR and filled it full with organic meat. But I'm sure I must be missing something, because it doesn't seem to be important to him and his hunting buddies if they actually bring meat home??? I'm missing something right???

It was darn hot today and because we slept in this morning, we didn't get out to the lease til almost noon. By then, all the other living things in God's creation had sought shelter from the heat ...but we were out there packing 40 lb. bags of corn to the deer feeder! I don't know how we ended up at the top of the food chain? Anyway...did I mention that it was hot?

Tonight before bed I heard our eldest daughter tell daddy "thank you" for taking her out to the deer lease and that she had a "great time". The other girls chimed in unanimously behind her. It was at that moment that I realized that I would carry 40 lb. bags of corn , in 102* heat everyday to hear my kids thank their daddy for a great day!!! So, I will cheerfully participate in our family hunting trips from now on and maybe I will be the one to sack that deer this year?!
Hey...then maybe Buddy will buy me an upright freezer?

Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question

2007-08-23T23:37:00.001-06:00

Unfailing Love

2007-08-20T23:19:00.000-06:00

The Word of God uses the phrase "unfailing love" thirty-two times, and not one of those times is it attributed to humans.
I fail...oh how I fail! Even tonight I am grieved over my failures.
I would love to be perfect as God is perfect. I know that I am not who I used to be, and that I will not remain who I am right now...but how I long for His perfection. I desire the day when I will cast off this flesh entirely, with its frailties, and be as He is!

Psalm 143:7-9
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.

Birthday Girl!

2007-08-16T23:20:00.000-06:00

Today my youngest turns 7 years old...that means that she may only be here with me 11 more years...which is the age of my oldest...she just turned 11 three days ago. And they were all just born yesterday! And my 11 year old might only be here with me for another 7 years... which was the amount of time that has passed since my youngest was born ...which was just like yesterday! And it all feels like it just happened yesterday! Please won't the clock slow down a little! Sniff, sniff :(
P.s. I failed to mention my 8 year old who is turning 9 and might only be here with me for 10 more years...and she was just born yesterday!

Tribute to My Husband...who got his 3rd. ticket this summer..

2007-08-15T22:26:00.000-06:00

Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his plane arrived, there was a limousine there to transport him to his home. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver. "You know" he said, "I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?"The driver said, "No problem. Have at it." Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and he got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure.The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled down, he was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, "I know we are supposed to enforce the law... But I also know that important people are given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person."The supervisor asked, "Is it the Governor?" The young trooper said, "No, he's more important than that."The supervisor said, "Oh, so it's the President?" The young trooper said, "No, he's even more important than that." The supervisor finally asked, "Well then, who is it?" The young trooper said, "I think it's Jesus, because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur."

I don't think that Billy Graham really got pulled over for driving 70 in a 55...but if he did shame on him too! And if he were chauffeuring Jesus I'm sure he would obey the laws of the land. LOL.

I'm praying for all of my friends who commute to Dallas everyday...Slow down. Your wives love you and want you to come home in one piece! I love you Honey!!!

It's Messy!

2007-08-12T22:53:00.001-06:00

I love the story of the Velveteen Rabbit...my favorite part of the story is when the Skin Horse is describing to the rabbit what it is like to become Real.

"The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.
"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
The Rabbit sighed. He thought it would be a long time before this magic called Real happened to him. He longed to become Real, to know what it felt like; and yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad. He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him. "

I am watching people become Real. It is messy, stressful, painful, and beautiful all at the same time. Why does our becoming what God created us to be have to be so messy, stressful and painful? It seems so much more appealing to be like one of those special kept dolls, you know the ones you put under glass. Unfortunately, it seems that this is not what God has intended for those He calls His. We are definitely called to become Real...with Him and with each other.

Here is to having your hair loved off, your eyes drop out, becoming loose in the joints and shabby...in Jesus Name!

Summer Count Down

2007-08-08T22:37:00.001-06:00

This is a sad time of year for me. The end of summer means that I have to wait a whole 9 months for summer to roll back around!
I hated school when I was growing up...so summertime has always been my favorite time of year!!! I still experience residual anxiety from my youth as we watch August fly by. Even this evening I was noticing how it is getting darker just a little earlier..."boo-hoo, sniff, sniff". "Bye-bye summer."

" I'd give all wealth that years have piled,
The slow result of Life's decay,
To be once more a little child
For one bright summer-day. "
Lewis Carrol

ARGH

2007-08-03T20:30:00.000-06:00

We are the Pirates who don't do anything...
We just stay at home and lie around. If you ask us to do anything. We'll just tell you...we don't do anything!

These pirates have stolen my heart!!!

Unexpected Bends in the River

2007-08-01T11:25:00.000-06:00

Having grown up in Northern California, canoeing was a big part of my family's life. I cannot remember a time when my parents did not own a canoe and make time in their busy schedules to get out on the Russian River. Even now my father competes in races with his friends who are all in their sixties and seventies. I guess for now, some things haven't changed.

I've been pondering the unanticipated changes that we face from time to time in our lives. This last month has brought many unforeseen changes in the lives of several of my good friends. When this happens it causes me to cry out to God and ask that He wrap His arms around them and help them to know that He is present.

As a young person I struggled with suicidal thoughts almost constantly. It seemed to me that dying would be the only escape from whatever stressful situation I found myself in at that time. One day when I found myself especially depressed, my mother shared with me that life is like a river and as times we find ourselves in really turbulent spots. We feel like we will capsize at any moment...but if we hang on and press forward... right around the corner will be another calm.
I can't tell you how many times I have comforted myself with that idea. I have experienced many rough patches, times in my life when I was ready to throw in the oars and let the river swallow me. But I have seen the truth in my mother's encouraging picture of the river. Through enduring (with the help of Christ), I have come out on the other side into a calm place of rest. What I really mean is...that each time that I endure...there is a place of rest and blessing ...just around the bend.

One of my favorite quotes, "There are no surprises in Heaven."- Corrie Ten Boom

Philippians 4:6-8

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Thirsty?

2007-08-01T00:58:00.000-06:00

There seems to be a common thread amongst my friends. Many of us are feeling plum worn out! I think that God is calling us all to drink deeply of Him. I remember a talk we use to give to new missionaries. We would hold a Styrofoam cup and talk about how God wants to fill our lives like the cup...and that as ministers sometimes we pull our cup out from under God's fountain of refreshment and start to quench the thirst of other. At last, what was once in our cups is gone and WE are left empty and dry. Our cups must stay under the Fountain that is Christ...our ministry to others must come from that which overflows from our lives being full to the brim and pouring over... We all need to stay under the fountain of God's Word and in His presence. Ministry can never be a substitute for truly being found in Him!

Psalms 36
5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Can't Sleep

2007-07-31T00:30:00.000-06:00

I'm just too excited. I lay in bed just going over all the awesome things that God is allowing me to see. It is like an awakening to His power.
I realized this weekend that no matter where I go, I am joining in the work that God is already doing. Not everyone I get to talk to is ready to give their lives over to Jesus, but every person I talk to is somewhere in the process of rejecting or accepting Him. I find it exciting to be allowed to be a part of that. It is sad to see some forging a path to Hell...but those that we encounter whose hearts are open to Christ's saving work cause pure delight in my heart.

I want to ask you to pray for a special woman that God has brought into my families path recently. If I could share with you all that this woman has been through, it would truly break your heart. You might even be tempted to ask why would God allow such atrocities! God is good and He is working in Bonnie's life ( not her real name) ...to enlighten, to save, to deliver, to comfort, and heal.
Two weekends ago Buddy and our friend John went to visit Bonnie after her grand kids came to the kid's club that we do in a nearby neighborhood. She broke down in her front lawn, confessing her sins right there before God and strangers. She share her desire to turn away from her past and walk a new life with Jesus. She is a drug user and has been clean from meth for 40 days.
This past weekend when we went to visit her she was very suicidal. I know that God is doing great things in her life and that it is Satan's desire to destroy the fruit...but he won't be able. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. I love watching Him do it! I love watching God exalt Himself. Pray for my new sister in Christ.

Oh Great!

2007-07-30T10:46:00.000-06:00

This morning my youngest daughter came to lay in bed with me. As we were laying there talking she reached over to play with the skin on my neck. "Mommy", she said with great concern and curiosity in her voice, " is that a double chin?"
"Well,...yes, I guess it is?" is the only reply that I could come up with.
"How old will I be when I get a double chin?", she asked sounding a little more concerned.
"I don't know baby...probably 36?"

Yesterday, I found out that I am a Great Aunt. My eighteen year old nephew made me a
" great" something. All of a sudden I'm feeling even older.

This week my hubby turns 40...so I guess that we are officially growing old together...awwww, just what we vowed to do!

A Reaping Season

2007-07-26T14:27:00.000-06:00

I've been listening to some audio teachings recently and I am in awe of how God gives to some the wonderful ability to expound on the His Word. I try not to covet their gifts and just be content to work in the gifts and talents that God has given to me.
Even this last Sunday night I was impressed (not with any man's ability), but with how God chooses such simple, weak vessels in which to pour out His power and knowledge. God just dumbfounds me!

I have been listening to some audios that a friend posted from a conference that he and his wife attended this last spring. I am finally coming back into a season in my life where I can once again dedicated larger chunks of time to study and (practical application). I don't want to be a hearer only. Praise the Lord...I thought that I would get lost in those years of diapers and toddler toys...but we are on the other side of that and I am experiencing a season of spiritual feeding!!!
I don't want to seem like I'm saying that there was no refreshment in the years my kids were little.(Don't mean to scare my young mom friends) It just took a lot more organization and discipline than I have naturally. God was very good to help me keep spiritually feed through those years...but it was more of God's drawing than my seeking:). He is so good to be so patient with us.
My only fear in writing this is that it seems fitting to God's great sense of humor that now that I have rejoiced over my new found freedom, that He would have me come up pregnant again. Right Julie!!?
I surrender it...even my womb...besides now I have 3 wonderful babysitters. I'm willing to loan them out to anyone else than needs a time of refreshment and feeding on the Word.

Nothing Stays Hidden

2007-07-24T23:39:00.000-06:00

Tonight our Lifegroup met at our home. ( Topic: Humility). I was not too stressed out about cleaning because:

a) I have already announced my philosophy about my house and guest, "If you come to visit me you are welcome anytime . If you come to see my house, please make an appointment.

b) I just had a large party on Sat. so the house was mostly clean.

c) I have just gotten more relaxed around my friends. I want to be real. The truth is we are real messy!

So with that being said, I shut and lock the door of our very messy bedroom.

Later that evening after everyone else had left our good friends Julie and Kenneth stayed behind to visit. While their sons and my daughters were playing , my eldest decides that six rooms isn't enough for her treasure hunt and that it is nessesary to include our bedroom in their game! Unbeknown st to me, the children were playing pirates in our bedroom. While at play one of the boys had a seizure ( Which has become common place to this family and a true struggle. Pray for them.)

We all end up gathering in OUR ROOM to watch this little boy seize.

I write this for two reasons: I ask you to pray for Julie's son who continues to deal with these seizures. This is the second that I have witnessed and it is so hard to imagine the stress and concern that they go through as parents. It is hard to watch as a friend...I can't imagine what goes on in their minds as they watch their baby seize and turn blue.

The other thing that I was thinking tonight after my bout with embarrassment over the exposure of my husband's dirty clothes (undies included) is that we think sometimes that we can hide the sinful areas of our lives from others. It reminded me of that scripture that talks about how Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make known the motives of our hearts.(1 Corn. 4:5) There is nothing that will remain unexposed when we face Christ. It will all be brought to light. I pray for God's help to live in a way that would not bring shame to myself or to the one I call Lord.

" For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; or hid, that will not be known.
What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the secret will be proclaimed from the roofs. "(Luke 12:2-3)

Dirty clothes aside, I hope that you allow the Lord to reveal the hidden "dirty areas" of your life now so that they can be made clean and useful for Him. I would hate to have them expose and shouted from rooftops, later...HOW EMBARRASSING!

P.s. Remember to pray for Julie, Kenneth and there son.

Free Huggs

2007-07-22T14:55:00.000-06:00

If you know my daughters then you have probably been a fortunate recipient of there hugs. Two of them are especially affectionate. I have thought often taking them up to the convalescent home and just letting them hug on the older people.

A brief hug and 10 minutes of handholding with a romantic partner greatly reduce the harmful physical effects of stress, according to a study reported over the weekend at the American Psychosomatic Society meeting here. (Related item: Worry, inactivity impede sleep's health benefits)
Loving contact before a tough day at work "could carry over and protect you throughout the day," says psychologist Karen Grewen with the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Remember to hug your loved ones!

Speechless

2007-07-20T23:11:00.000-06:00

It is finally happening...I've been left speechless. The other day in a friend's post she asked about when we have been left speechless. I responded that," I am never speechless. I am entirely too talkative to be found without something to say. I have been in awe often, but never speechless." I realized upon self-examination that this is a fault of mine. I should have expected that the Lord would promptly challenge me in this area...and He has.
No less than 3 times this week I have been render speechless! It seems that God has place people who are under such tremendous trials in my path this week. After hearing their stories, I can hardly say anything but that I will pray for them. These women are going through things that I cannot even bear repeating, let alone know how to respond to, except to put my arms around them and pray quietly for them. I can't even find words to ask God for them. I have to leave the interceding to the Holy Spirit. Even my attempts at prayer on their behalf start out like, " Lord I don't understand...I don't know how to pray...Just give them a sense of your presence, comfort and peace."

Hospitable?

2007-07-18T23:21:00.000-06:00

Our subject last week for our Lifegroup study was on hospitality. I have to admit that before I had children I was a hospitable/ party (in Jesus) at the Holt house every night kinda gal. Our house in Mexico was a hub of activity and fellowship to whosoever will.

After the arrival of my children (3), I became much less willing to have people into my home. I no longer had the time to clean it as I once had. I became more selfish with family time and resources and frankly, we were now living in a country/culture that fails miserably at knowing how to live in community with one another. I have definitely taken a step backwards in this area of my life.

In the book, Disciplines of a Godly Man, Hughes comments of the sorry state of our culture's current lack of value for community and friendship. He writes, '"The old adage that 'a man's house is his castle' is coming true today. His castle moat is his front lawn, the drawbridge his driveway, and the portcullis his automatic garage door through which he passes with electronic heraldry. Once inside, he removes his armor and attends to the house and hearth until daybreak, when he assumes his executive armament and, briefcase in hand, mounts his iron steed...presses the button, and rides of to the wars."

I am thankful that the Holy Spirit is challenging me in this very neglected area of my life.

Today hospitality, friendship and community have fallen on hard times. If we are to be all that God wants us to be we must open up and put some holy sweat into building relationships with one another, the unexclusive kinds that are ever growing in depth and number. Christianity is relationship with God, through JesusChrist ,and then spills directly over into relationship with one's neighbor. God's truth are most effectively lived out in relationships.

Share with me a time when you experienced a real sense of hospitality or community?

Overgrown

2007-07-16T10:47:00.000-06:00

Saturday we returned from a week long vacation at the beach and pulled into the driveway to be greeted by our terribly overgrown yard. I must clarify that when I write yard, I'm not referring to 500 square feet of Saint Augustine and a token tree or two...I'm talking about two acres of East Texas jungle. I have for 8 years worked feverishly to tame into submission this overgrown piece of land...but it seems to get the best of me and in such a short time!

As is often the case when it comes to my gardens, I am reminded that it is the same with our spiritual lives. We work to keep the flesh under submission to the things of Christ, we weed out that which would be contrary God's plan for our plot. We allow the Holy Spirit to cut and prune in ways that will prove fruitful. But it doesn't take too long of a spiritual vacation for things to get weed ridden, overgrown or just plain wilting for lack of the life giving water of God's Word and tending from the Master's hand.
My prayer for myself and for you is that you would be ever vigilant to allow the Lord to tend to your life and that you will seek after His plan for you, so that you may remain fruitful and well manicured...for His glory. No spiritual vacations here!!

.

Feeling Fragile

2007-06-30T01:00:00.000-06:00

When I hit post the computer clock will say it is like 11pm or something , but it is really 2 am. I can' t sleep. I miss my friends, my old church, my routine. Everything seems so new and fragile to me right now. I'm in that in between stage of things where I am not in contact with my old friends as much, and my newest friendships are so new that they lack the intimacy I deeply desire to have with people. I feel disconnected right now and this is a uncomfortable place to be.

I am not discontented. I just feel like a freshly transplanted plant...experiencing a little shock and wanting to sink my roots deep into my new soil.

"1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. "

Lord, help me to delight myself in You and Your Word. I want my roots to be deeply planted in You. Help me to be fruitful for your glory. And help me to develop genuinely intimate, Christ- centered relationships with the new people that you are bringing into my life.

Just a Worm

2007-06-27T21:39:00.000-06:00

There seems to be a life theme for me every week lately. Something that God is impressing upon me. This last week's revelation was a doozie! The Holy Spirit revealed to me that I am prejudice! My prejudice was against people who claim the name Christian and live less "pious" lives than I do. Of course this sounds awful when I say it out loud...and it is terribly embarrassing to confess!
This past week I had the opportunity to meet a financial need of someone who is going through a hard time... but I actually hesitated and battled the decision because this person smokes. And in my carnal mind I began to judge this person for their habit and I came to the conclusion that the reason that they don't have the money for the things that they need is because they spend it on cigarettes. Just as I finished thinking the thought, the Holy Spirit slapped me up the side of my spiritual head!!!!
"Who do you think you are?"
All week long our family devotional time had been on 1Peter 2:17 "Show proper respect to everyone,". My attitude did not in any way reflect that I was letting God's Word change my heart. After some wrestling between flesh and spirit, God helped me to see that I was prejudice and that I had no reason to be so concerned about the splinter in my brother's eye when I obviously had a tree trunk stuck in mine!
God is so good to receive us as we are, and even better to not let us stay that way! I realized anew this week that I am just a worm; no better or worse than any other worm. I'm grateful that God sent His son Jesus to die for worms like me.
To reconfirm His lesson to me, our Lifegroup study last night was on Galatians chapter 6...
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, (nothing but a worm that is!) he deceives himself."
(I apologize to any of my friends and family who smoke. Please forgive me for my tree trunk! I have prayed and asked God to forgive me and give me a new heart concerning my problem with false piety. I know that it stinks in God's nostrils!!!)

p.s. God gave me a joy in being able to meet the need of this person and also an opportunity to get to know them better. It is amazing how my heart changed toward this person after just spending a little time with them! If we are willing to invest a little love in our "neighbor", we will come to realize that we are all the same...just struggling and in need of God's great grace!

Wanted: Old Ladies :)

2007-06-25T07:03:00.001-06:00

I have been so blessed to always have had older godly women to walk along side of me throught the many seasons of my life thus far! There is of course one who has been a constant...my mom. Her faithful example, godly instruction and ferverent prayers for her children has had everything to do with where and who I am today! Because of the physical distance between me and my mom thought, the Lord has always been good to also place other "mom type" ladies in my life to help keep me focused. I can think of a half dozen ladies that He has used in my life to exhort and to model for me what it is to follow Christ, as a wife, mother, disciple . I am so grateful for these women and their faithful service to our Savior and to the Body of Christ.

Well, it seems that I find myself in a new season of life now...and as I was looking around my surroundings yesterday, and examining my new routine, there was something missing...an older woman. Of course, mom is still there via phone; but I am looking for my "older lady." It seems that I am surrounded by peers, young women and new believers right now. Granted, as I very quickly approach 40 (ouch...hard to admit), I realize that I am becoming the "older lady" for others...but I want an older, godly lady for myself! So please join me in praying for my "older lady".

Titus 2
3Likewise, teach the older women (old ladies :) ) to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

2007-06-25T07:03:00.000-06:00

2007-06-18T23:12:00.001-06:00

Will the Real Church Please Stand Up?

2007-06-18T22:15:00.000-06:00

The true Church of Jesus Christ is not a building made with hands, rather it is composed of individuals who have repented of their sinful state of being and have decided to follow after Jesus Christ. This Spiritual manifestation of the Body of Christ is best represented when Christ's followers gather together to obey the mandates He left for us in Scripture.

As a follower of Christ, for 17 years, I have spent countless hours studying the Scripture, looking for things that Christ is asking me to do. I desire to be pleasing to Him...so I search for the things that make Him happy and ask for the Holy Spirit's help to do them. Jesus did say that, "If you love me,you will keep my commandment."

Recently my attention has been drawn to the commands in Scripture that include the words "one another". I heard once that there are 88 such commands in the Scripture. I have made it my homework to find them all. Of course, that means that I will have to ask God to help me to obey them all too! Anyway...just thought that I would share some of the ways that the Real Church interacts with "one another"...
Show mercy and compassion to one another.
Love one another.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.Live in harmony with one another.Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.
Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Greet one another.Instruct one another.
Agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Serve one another.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Brothers, do not slander one another.
Love one another deeply, from the heart.
All of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Greet one another with a kiss of love.
We should love one another.
Love one another as he commanded us. Wow...I think He wants us to love one another!
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
I ask that you love one another so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
And do not forget to do good and to share with each other, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Border Control

2007-06-03T21:00:00.000-06:00

Should we close our borders? I really don't have a decisive answer to this question. I just pose the question because it seems such a hot topic lately wherever I go. I have a heart felt response, but my educated, researched response is still evolving.

In the past 10 years I have had the opportunity to share the Gospel with numerous undocumented aliens. Being bilingual has opened doors for me to share Christ with many Spanish speakers, and also disciple them to Christian maturity. Some of them are still in the US, others have moved back to their countries of origin.

The other day I was speaking with a brother in Christ who supports the closing of our borders and the profiling of Middle Eastern people. Our conversation left me wondering about the thousands of Muslim people that come to our country and the great opportunity we as Christ's disciples have to come along side of them and share the Truth. (I need to add that my friend and brother is not a racist. I just think he is missing a Kingdom building opportunity.I love you man!) Shortly after this conversation I read an article in a magazine, ParentLife. The article entitled, How Racism Impacts Your Family stated that 91% of Muslim-background Christians (Muslims who become Christians after coming to the US), worship in English-speaking churches. That is great, I thought! We have ex-Muslim brothers and sisters. I rejoice when I hear that! I also realize that God used their coming to the US as an opportunity to open their spiritual eyes to their lostness and to Jesus Christ!!

Just the other day a pastor friend shared a statistic with me that also excited me. He said for every person you lead to Jesus Christ, you open the door to an average of 10 more people who will be directly impacted by that new believer! Wow...that is exciting!

So...my heart felt response to the border question is let them come, and let true followers of Christ be busy about reaching them with the Good News of Jesus! I know that it sounds uneducated and simple, but I just want everyone to have an opportunity to know Jesus.
I'm sure that there will be many who can respond, and point out the many flaws in my thinking, but I thought that I would be a little brave in my post this week! This is my contribution to the freedom of speech. May you feel free to speak too!

Testing 1 2 3

2007-05-30T10:31:00.000-06:00

It is raining outside,and the kids are fighting. So, I thought that I would put myself in time out and see if this blogging thing still works. Hey...I think that it does.

So much is changing right now in our lives...it seemed like an appropriate time to come to the keyboard and vent....ahh, I mean express myself.

Sunday night, after two heart stirring sermons, my husband and I went forward to tell our pastor, co-laborer and friend of 12 years that God is calling us out of our wonderful church to begin a new work. I have been choking back tears ever since. I keep having to remind myself to take a deep breath and swallow hard.

We met last night with members of our new ministry team for a time of seeking God. It was sweet and refreshing. I hope for many more times like it as we step out in faith to follow God's direction.
As we prepare to leave our church home and family, I am reminded of a Rich Mullins song that says that "home is where You (God) are". This is a good reminder to my half grieving, half excited heart.

Not the First Tomato

2007-04-05T15:10:00.000-06:00

I am fighting my envy. I was informed by a good friend today, that she had 12 tomatos on her plants! I am having to eat humble pie, with no tomatos to boot! I've decided that next year I too will build a greenhouse.
My only consolation is that she has promised me whatever vegis she and her family are unable to eat...Thanks, I'll take'm!
I 've noticed that my posts have taken on a new focus...food. Come to think of it now, all my dreams have been about food too...hmmm?

How to Eat An Elephant

2007-04-02T11:23:00.000-06:00

This is the last thing I SHOULD be doing right now. I am using my blog as an escape from the 22 things on my "to do" list. My house is a pig sty, kids running amuck, important tasks left undone, and a test in my Gov. class tomorrow night! I know what I need to being focusing on...just don't want to do it! I realize the longer I procrastinate, the worse it is gonna get! So why do I do it? I don't know...?
I am reminded of my mother's wise statement to us as we would face the daunting task of cleaning our pig sty bedrooms when we were young..."There is only one way to eat an elephant," she would tell us, "one bite at a time!"
Anyway...I write this to share a real struggle of mine with you! I hate this about myself. So...pray for me as I pull myself away from the computer screen ,grab my knife and fork and tackle my "elephant". I hate elephant...I'd rather have pizza today!

Lost in Spring Madness

2007-03-22T08:26:00.000-06:00

I checked my e-mails for the first time in I can't remember how long. I tried to instant message a friend this morning, but my fingers couldn't find the right keys...can it be that I have been away from the computer for more than a month?!!! Even as I write this I am concerned with the 15 "all important" things that must be checked off my to do list TODAY! Spring Madness
is officially upon us. I will add to this that my garden is starting to look good... one of the reasons for my recent absence from the Internet community.
I think that I was one of the first gardeners to have my tomatoes planted this year. I know this because all my gardening friends were rolling their eyes at me and warning me that I was gonna loose my plants to frost. I don't think so! But if I do I 'll replant. And if I don't, I will proudly call each and every one of them when I sit down to my first delicious plate of homegrown, sliced tomatoes! My plants are 3 ft. high and covered in little bloom! Yes, that is a big deal to me and if you don't poke fun at me I am willing to share from my harvest...it will probably be the first garden grown tomatoes harvested in the lake area!
So the flowers are blooming, my cars are covered in yellow pollen, soccer season has me running, I'm counting all the pages in the girls school books trying to see if we can finish our curriculums by June? SPRING IS HERE!
So...to all you pale faced, bloodshot eyed bloggers I say...get outside and enjoy God's great creation! Just don't forget to take you Claritin!

Too Comfortable

2007-02-20T11:40:00.000-06:00

The Uncomfort Zone, is the name of a friend's blog page. I have to admit that I use to live in that zone, in another time and country. It seems to elude me now though. Living in the belt of the comfort zone, here in the South, I struggle against getting too satisfied or cozy. We have our temp. controlled buildings, full time church staff, classes for every age group, perfectly designed nurseries, music to suit every genre, and restrooms with their own floral arrangements. I could go on! We are drowning in showers of blessings! I have to admit that these things contribute to the ever growing temptation I feel to sit back and fall asleep spiritually. I realized the extent of my trouble a few weeks ago when my husband was considering having our family join in a new church plant. All of a sudden I was faced with a dilemma...Do we really want to take our kids out of a church where they are so tied in and in which they are being ministered?
I actually entertained the thought that it might be detrimental to our daughters to enter into a church plant where they couldn't participate in all the wonderful programs in which they are currently involved.
What on the earth has happened to me? Five years ago I wouldn't have given any call from the Lord a second thought. "Mexico?.....Great Lord! Kenya, Africa?...I can't wait! Haiti?....I'm packing up right now!" But over time I have become too comfortable. Now I shutter at the thought of my kids not having an awesome Christian drama/choir teacher or a fully equipped, Lifeway trained, Sunday school teacher or a great church family that is like a real family. I am ashamed of myself!
Of course, the Lord convicted me of my selfish concerns. It didn't take long for me to realize that a church plant could be a great opportunity to challenge the girls to truly live out and practise all the Biblical knowledge that has been fed them since birth.
Though God did not end up directing Buddy to join the church plant, I am once again ready and willing to leave my wonderful church...if and when the Lord leads us elsewhere. For now we will continue to seek to serve the Lord whole heartedly and to look for opportunities to step outside the Comfort Zone!

Jeb Hensarling Called Me...Who?

2007-02-15T20:06:00.000-06:00

The coolest thing happened to me tonight as I was reading through my friends' blogs. I got a call from my congressman! Okay...some of you are already thinking...big deal. But I thought that it was cool. I was invited to stay on the line and participate in a "conference call type town meeting". Since I am taking a government class right now, and the girls where already quietly watching a video; I decided to listen in on the meeting for a few minutes...which ended up turning into 45 minutes.
I haven't ever taken much interest in the happenings of my state or my nation. I thought that I hated politics. I've realized over the past few weeks that I was just afraid of politics...just like I was afraid of blogging. I am always afraid of things that I don't understand (yes Tamara, this why I am a recovering "12 o'clock flasher" ). But, the call made me reconsider my lack of involvement. I might actually start reading up on the latest issues and e-mailing or calling my congressman in the future. I might even start praying for him and try to share Christ with him.
He didn't know what he was in for when he called the Holt household...even if the call was computer generated and he didn't know I was on the line!

Hijack My Blog

2007-02-14T23:25:00.001-06:00

In just a few minutes it will be the 1 month anniversary of my blog. And as I am sitting here looking at it...I realize that I want more!

I have never been one for interior design. The truth is that my husband has done all the home interior design, purchasing and arranging around here. He has an eye for that type of thing and frankly...he has a lot of chick in him. He admits this freely to our friends and adds that he is also a sensitive kinda guy...and that chicks dig that! The four chicks that live with him " dig it." So, I guess that makes it okay?
Anyway...I try not to compare but it is hard when I make my rounds to all my blogging friends' sites and then I come back to my blogging home...it's just so plain and brown and ...did I say plain?
So, I had an idea. I don't have television, but I have heard of that program where they come and take your plain old vehicle and they turn it into a wow mobile. So I want to know if someone will "pimp my blog"?
(Btw, when I write that my honey has a lot of chick in him, I am in no way implying that He is effeminate :0)

Special Valentines Offer- Limit Time Only!

2007-02-13T09:02:00.001-06:00

Okay...Yes, I am resorting to bribery. It seems like everyday I find out that someone new is reading my blog, but not commenting. I know that some of you are shy and others are just too busy to comment. So for a Limited Time Only, I am offering a free personal sized cheesecake or brownie to everyone who post a comment to this blog. No pressure, you don't even have to have anything super smart of clever to comment (I never do). Just scroll down to the word "comment" , click and a comment page will pop up. Enter your info and let me know if you want a cheese cake or brownie! That is easy enough and doesn't take but a few seconds...it will be worth the goodies! Btw...the cheesecake is Chrissy Hawkin 's recipe, the best I have ever had!!!! The brownie will be homemade too!

If you act right now, you can even specify if you want cherry or strawberry topping on your cheesecake! (0ffer not valid where author cannot hand deliver goodies, sorry dad! We can make you some oatmeal, chocolate chip and raisin cookies though!)

They are Watching

2007-02-11T22:17:00.000-06:00

There seems to be a running theme in what the Lord is telling me lately. Through an experience recently with a misunderstood post, I came realize that people are watching me. Before you think that I am having a paranoid episode...I was approached this evening by a younger girl in my congregation who said that the girls are being encouraged , by their Sunday school teachers, to find older woman to "mentor" them. She asked me if I would be hers. I was at first honored, then excited , then humbled, then I sorta got this sick feeling in my stomach! "That means she is watching me! Oh, Lord help me."
Living a life that is a good testimony to other people, for the glory of Christ, it is not a new concept to me. I try to live in a way that would not bring shame to the One whose Name I wear. But as I looked at that girl in the face tonight I realized that there is a lot a stake here. What if she sees me fail? What if she finds out I'm really a mess? What if she sees that I'm just a no good sinner and the only thing that saves me from the deepest pit of Hell is the God's mercy through Jesus!...As I pondered the dilemma, a peace came over me. I realized that my being a real "saved by grace sinner" was the only testimony I have to live before her or anyone else that happens to be watching.
Of Course, I will continue to do my very best to live in a manner that is worthy of the calling (with the help of the Holy Spirit). And when she sees me make a mistake, I will point her to Christ and be a living example for her of His great forgiveness. I pray that God will help me live my life in a way that will serve to draw people's attention to Christ.

I Have Figured out the Secret

2007-02-09T14:43:00.001-06:00

I think that I have figured out how to get people to respond to my posts...just write something shocking or scandalous! LOL
Note to my faithful readers...haha... and all who are concerned about my spiritual well being: My post " Mad Enough to Quit", has been edited and renamed to better convey the tone that the author originally intended...let me know if I was sucessful this time:) Yours truly and always under His grace, Cherie Holt

Public Apology

2007-02-07T22:52:00.000-06:00

Several post ago I share with you that I had had a spiritual temper tantrum and that I had faced the temptation of quiting church. Though I did feel that way for a few hours...the post was meant to be about remaining still and obedient before God and how He works things out...not about me being mad or wanting to leave my church.
After being approached by several concerned church friends (who I didn't even know knew I had a blog); I realize that I failed miserably at making my point. I love my church and my brothers and sisters in Christ. God has always been faithful to work out any conflicts...which I tend to avoid at all cost anyway. Those who know me well, know that I am a pacifist and hate conflict.
My intent in sharing my few hours of struggling with anger, was not so that we would focus on the terrible thing that got me upset , rather that God was calling me to trust and obey Him.
So I want to publicly apologize for any misunderstanding that my poor communication may have caused. I will endeavor to be more careful to communicate clearly and positively in my future posts.
Thankful for His Grace, Cherie Holt

Worship

2007-02-05T19:08:00.000-06:00

1 Corinthians 10:31"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
I started my worship of God today as I rolled over and cuddled with my husband this morning, taking 15 min. to pray silently for his day and that he would live today in a way that would be pleasing to God. I continued to worship as I administered medicine to my 8 yr. old daughter. Then I worshipped while I tackled the pile of laundry on my bedroom floor, had my quiet time and a cup of coffee. My worship will be manifest as I herd our daughters out the door to take an elderly woman we know to the Dr. Then I will persevere in worship as I teach my children their school lessons. Later this afternoon my daughters and I will worship together as we take a package of diapers to a young man we met last week, whose girlfriend just had their first child. I will go on worshipping all day... looking for ways to be obedient to God and to share Christ love with whomever God leads into my day. Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship."
February 5, 2007 8:18am

Be still and know...Previously known as " Mad Enough to Quit"

2007-02-04T14:43:00.000-06:00

Note to the reader: This post is meant to be read in a light hearted tone. It is meant to poke fun at our tendency to "get up in arms" about things ,when God calls us to be obedient and to be still before Him.

I almost quit church Thursday! Boy...I was hot. My feathers were ruffled. My buttons had been pushed and I was gonna stand behind my cause. I was sure this was the hill I was willing to die on! Have you been there before? I've seen it happen time and time again in my 35 years growing up around the body of Christ. It wasn't my first experience with this emotion nor I'm sure my last.
So what did I do? I spent Thursday morning in tears, praying, the afternoon on the phone with my mother and by that evening had resolved myself to surrendering my anguish to God and to,"being still and knowing that He is God", and that I am not...and that I cannot fix a thing! God told me Thursday night to continue in obedience...that was it. It wasn't the answer that I was looking for... I was ready to kick some spiritual * tookus, (thanks Tamara for my new word) and take names! But He didn't give me the green light on that one.

This morning I saw the fruit of being still and obedient before the Lord. God is so much better than I am at working things out. You're thinking...Duh...well of course!
Are you laughing at me? Come on, fess up...If you have been active in a church body for awhile, then I know that you have probably been there once or twice yourself.
As I was driving home from church today I couldn't help but hum under my breath a little diddy we use to sing in children's church...

" When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word what a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good will, He abides with us still and with all those who TRUST and OBEY...
TRUST and OBEY for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to TRUST and OBEY. "

I am so glad that I chose to trust and obey rather than kick tookus or quit!

*Tookus: Bo-bo, hinie, bum, rear, rear-end, gluteus maximus, butt.

Many Members But One Body

2007-01-31T23:33:00.000-06:00

Unity does not = Uniformity.
I am glad that I am different. Those of you who know me are probably rolling your eyes, "boy, is she ever!" No, I mean that I am glad that God has created me with a unique design and purpose. I have learned to be free to be me. I know that this sounds corny, but I have. There is no one else like me...or like you for that matter. Our personalities, circumstances and abilities are all specially designed by our Maker to fulfill the good work that He has created for each of us to do. Ephesians 2:10 "We are God's workmanship," (meaning work of art in the Greek)," created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do." I don't know about you but that makes me feel good about being me.
What concerns me though is that while most would agree with the above idea, many find themselves striving to be like someone else...or everybody else. Maybe you have felt the pressure to conform or you struggle to fit the "norm". You find yourself working "outside the program". Worse yet you felt ostracized because of it?
We even see these pressures even in our churches. You want to be like Sally special music, Glen gleeful greeter or even Sam Sunday school teacher. I love 1Corinthians 12. It says something like...if everybody were an eye who would do the hearing. And if everybody were an ear then who would do the smelling? It's my paraphrase...but you get the drift. Verse 18 says that God has "arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as he wanted them to be."
To quote one of my favorite Sunday school teachers," Because you are different, you will reach people for Christ that I will never reach. And I will reach others that you will never reach."
So I will continue to marvel (at times) and be quietly annoyed (at others) by how different we are, but I will choose to encourage you in your differences. I will do it out of respect for who God has made you and I will do it because we can't all be me. Now that is a scary thought!

We Need A Little Rain

2007-01-15T20:55:00.002-06:00

What attitude should Christ's followers have when we face difficulties and suffering? To be honest, I know how I tend to react...quick to wonder why God has forsaken me...or to complain of how unjust my suffering seems. Of course, as I write this, it is easy to roll my eyes at myself. I have a feeling though that I am not alone in this boat. Maybe you have been there too?
Believers need to be constantly reminded that nothing comes our way that doesn't first pass through the loving hands of God. One of my favorite verses is, "For we know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose."
A certain organization offered $5000 for wolves captured alive. As a result, there were two men that scoured the mountains day and night looking for their lucrative prey. After an exhausting day of hunting the men fell asleep to later be awakened by the furious growling of a pack of wolves; eyes flaming and teeth bared. One of the men woke to nudge his friend, " Bud, wake up. We're rich."
When difficulties and trials surround us, remembering that God is sovereign, in control, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, can turn the worst situation into an opportunity for our "good" and for His glory.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its perfect work in you, that you may be perfect, and complete, lacking nothing. " James 1 ; 2-4

The fruit of the Spirit will not come to complete maturation in our lives with only sunshine. There will be days of dark clouds and rain...but to God be the great glory for the fruitfulness of His hands working in our lives, even on those rainy days.
God, we surrender ourselves to your plan and to your work to make us fruitful. Give us the grace to accept both sunshine and rain!- In Jesus Name.

My Perfect Life Partner

2007-01-06T16:32:00.000-06:00

Lord, I thank you that you far surpass, in character and in love, even the best people in my life. You are My Share in this life and in the one to come...my Great Reward, my Maker and Sustainer, and the Lover of my soul.
Jesus, help me to make you the true desire of my heart so that you will be exalted to the position to which you are worthy. In doing so, it is my desire that others will take note of the great love that we share and be drawn to a place where they can know You and love You too.