I saw this and just HAD to share it! I hope all of you are doing better at reaching your goals than I've been lately.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Fitness Friday: One Final Bit of Fun
For my final "Fitness Friday" on this blog, I wanted to post a cartoon that explains exactly how I feel about my workouts and weight loss efforts lately. My life has been crazy - no schedule, no routine. Allow me to sum it up: I feel rotten!! I'm sluggish again and just blah.
I saw this and just HAD to share it! I hope all of you are doing better at reaching your goals than I've been lately.
Have a great weekend!
I saw this and just HAD to share it! I hope all of you are doing better at reaching your goals than I've been lately.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Seven Days To Go
The Countdown is On...
Hi everyone! I just wanted to give you a little update on the progress here. We move one week from today! I can't believe it! We are doing well on getting packed up but I'm not doing well at living in a state of chaos! Things are boxed and stacked and there is clutter everywhere. When I think about loading all of my stuff onto a truck and moving it for the 8th time, I cringe! I take comfort in the fact that the Lord is behind this 100%, and He will help me move again. (But it is still no fun!)
Please pray for Northside. We are praying God will send them a good man to pick up the mantle here and go forward. The people are starting to perk up a little and think about the future, so that's a blessing. They are such sweet people! Whomever God does send is one blessed family! I am really getting excited about our move. I have been setting goals and making plans. It is fun to think about starting over fresh. I have made mistakes here, and I hope to have learned from those mistakes. It's nice to think about having a "clean slate." I know I will make mistakes there, but I hope not the same ones!
As for our move, this is the order in which I do things every time I move: (I've highlighted the step I'm at now)
1. Sort items in drawers, closets, etc. - Here are my categories: give away, throw away, yard sale and storage. After eight moves, I'm very hard-hearted. My throw away, yard sale or give away piles are huge! You wanna know if you should keep something or not? Ask yourself, "Would I be willing to move this eight times?" And you'll have your answer! (Haha!)
2. Pack all items for storage.
3. Clean and pack away items such as fans, seasonal decorations, etc.
4. Remove all items from walls, dust/clean and pack.
5. Pack items from closets. (Blankets, clothes we don't wear a lot, etc.)
6. I save the kitchen and bathrooms for last.
Since about three-four moves ago, I've been buying bubble wrap for the fragile items. It costs more than newspaper, but it's worth it! Things are safer and my dishes do not need to be washed upon unpacking when I use bubble wrap.
I leave these areas for my husband: Garage and Yard. He takes sole ownership of these and I have no say. I'd just like to say that I enjoy having no say over this. I have my hands full with the other 3,200 square feet! (3,800 square feet total)
Another update, we did some checking on local Internet access in Hope. There is a company that offers it, but it is way out of our price range. AT&T, our local phone company there, doesn't even offer dial-up!! We are going to do more checking after we get settled. We may try going wireless to see if that works. Or, we may not have it. :[ If not, that's okay. I know I'll make it. I will miss all of you though! You all have been so great to me to read my blog and comment or email me. Thank you so much.
Just a thought...
We recently found out that a local pastor has resigned his church and left his wife. It is heart breaking. We just saw them at a restaurant recently. She is such a sweet lady and they have two kids. I am reminded of some important things:
1. I need to keep a close walk with the Lord at all times.
2. I need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's nudging and/or screaming. A good rule of thumb is, when in doubt, DON'T!
3. I need to help and encourage my husband in his walk with the Lord in every way I can.
4. I need to pray for my husband and our marriage.
5. I need to be on guard against "the adulteress who hunts for the precious life".
6. I need to be sure that I am not portraying any of the characteristics of the adulteress myself!
This is a wake up call. I think of 1 Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. I want to take heed now before it's too late!
Hi everyone! I just wanted to give you a little update on the progress here. We move one week from today! I can't believe it! We are doing well on getting packed up but I'm not doing well at living in a state of chaos! Things are boxed and stacked and there is clutter everywhere. When I think about loading all of my stuff onto a truck and moving it for the 8th time, I cringe! I take comfort in the fact that the Lord is behind this 100%, and He will help me move again. (But it is still no fun!)
Please pray for Northside. We are praying God will send them a good man to pick up the mantle here and go forward. The people are starting to perk up a little and think about the future, so that's a blessing. They are such sweet people! Whomever God does send is one blessed family! I am really getting excited about our move. I have been setting goals and making plans. It is fun to think about starting over fresh. I have made mistakes here, and I hope to have learned from those mistakes. It's nice to think about having a "clean slate." I know I will make mistakes there, but I hope not the same ones!
As for our move, this is the order in which I do things every time I move: (I've highlighted the step I'm at now)
1. Sort items in drawers, closets, etc. - Here are my categories: give away, throw away, yard sale and storage. After eight moves, I'm very hard-hearted. My throw away, yard sale or give away piles are huge! You wanna know if you should keep something or not? Ask yourself, "Would I be willing to move this eight times?" And you'll have your answer! (Haha!)
2. Pack all items for storage.
3. Clean and pack away items such as fans, seasonal decorations, etc.
4. Remove all items from walls, dust/clean and pack.
5. Pack items from closets. (Blankets, clothes we don't wear a lot, etc.)
6. I save the kitchen and bathrooms for last.
Since about three-four moves ago, I've been buying bubble wrap for the fragile items. It costs more than newspaper, but it's worth it! Things are safer and my dishes do not need to be washed upon unpacking when I use bubble wrap.
I leave these areas for my husband: Garage and Yard. He takes sole ownership of these and I have no say. I'd just like to say that I enjoy having no say over this. I have my hands full with the other 3,200 square feet! (3,800 square feet total)
Another update, we did some checking on local Internet access in Hope. There is a company that offers it, but it is way out of our price range. AT&T, our local phone company there, doesn't even offer dial-up!! We are going to do more checking after we get settled. We may try going wireless to see if that works. Or, we may not have it. :[ If not, that's okay. I know I'll make it. I will miss all of you though! You all have been so great to me to read my blog and comment or email me. Thank you so much.
Just a thought...
We recently found out that a local pastor has resigned his church and left his wife. It is heart breaking. We just saw them at a restaurant recently. She is such a sweet lady and they have two kids. I am reminded of some important things:
1. I need to keep a close walk with the Lord at all times.
2. I need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's nudging and/or screaming. A good rule of thumb is, when in doubt, DON'T!
3. I need to help and encourage my husband in his walk with the Lord in every way I can.
4. I need to pray for my husband and our marriage.
5. I need to be on guard against "the adulteress who hunts for the precious life".
6. I need to be sure that I am not portraying any of the characteristics of the adulteress myself!
This is a wake up call. I think of 1 Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. I want to take heed now before it's too late!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Blessings of the Past
One thing you cannot avoid while packing and sorting, is coming across old scrapbooks, photo albums, notebooks and journals. I have been pretty good about not stopping to peruse each one as I've been packing, but I found one that I couldn't resist glancing through. It was a small notebook, so I knew it wouldn't take long to read through it.
I wanted to share a journal entry that I found in that notebook dated April 4, 2003. It was good that I read it, as it brought back memories of past blessings that God had graciously bestowed upon me. The Bible says in Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Recalling the trials and subsequent blessings from the past gives me hope. (I didn't know it would mean I'd literally be going to Hope! ;] )
Here's the entry:
Fri. April 4, 2003
I haven't written in a while because I've been getting to bed so late. But I wanted to record some blessings God has given us during this time of testing*.
1. Terry had a suit and sport coat cleaned at Comet Cleaners and we only had to pay $.85! The total was $10.85, but we had a $10.00 credit!
2. Kathy Basham found 3 packages of diapers for Mitchell left at the college property.
3. Terry got paid $70.00 from BHBC (Blessed Hope Baptist College in Benton, AR) for teaching Kevin's Old Testament Survey class for two weeks while Kevin was away.
4. Terry repaired a guy's brakes for $50.00 today!
5. Mitch has an ear infection, but we got him to the doctor and on antibiotics. He will be much better by the time we leave for Texas*!
I was up late with him last night, (almost all night) so I am turning in.
Thank you, Lord, for all of these blessings!
* This time of testing was when we were facing many battles at the church where we were youth pastor/associate pastor at the time.
* This reference to Texas was when were preparing to go to Alice, Texas to preach in view of a call. They called us 100%, but we did not have peace about it, so we did not take it.
I was encouraged by reading about some of the large, and even the small blessings that God gave me during a time of trial. It indeed gives me hope, just as the Bible says it will! It also convicts me about writing down all of the blessings He gives me. I'm too good at forgetting what He does to not take time to record it on paper, or on screen! ;]
I've read the saying "God is good all the time" and that's true. More specifically, He's good when everything else is bad. Even during times of trial, His presence surrounds and refreshes me like a cool breeze on hot day. Yes, He is good. So very good to me.
I wanted to share a journal entry that I found in that notebook dated April 4, 2003. It was good that I read it, as it brought back memories of past blessings that God had graciously bestowed upon me. The Bible says in Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Recalling the trials and subsequent blessings from the past gives me hope. (I didn't know it would mean I'd literally be going to Hope! ;] )
Here's the entry:
Fri. April 4, 2003
I haven't written in a while because I've been getting to bed so late. But I wanted to record some blessings God has given us during this time of testing*.
1. Terry had a suit and sport coat cleaned at Comet Cleaners and we only had to pay $.85! The total was $10.85, but we had a $10.00 credit!
2. Kathy Basham found 3 packages of diapers for Mitchell left at the college property.
3. Terry got paid $70.00 from BHBC (Blessed Hope Baptist College in Benton, AR) for teaching Kevin's Old Testament Survey class for two weeks while Kevin was away.
4. Terry repaired a guy's brakes for $50.00 today!
5. Mitch has an ear infection, but we got him to the doctor and on antibiotics. He will be much better by the time we leave for Texas*!
I was up late with him last night, (almost all night) so I am turning in.
Thank you, Lord, for all of these blessings!
* This time of testing was when we were facing many battles at the church where we were youth pastor/associate pastor at the time.
* This reference to Texas was when were preparing to go to Alice, Texas to preach in view of a call. They called us 100%, but we did not have peace about it, so we did not take it.
I was encouraged by reading about some of the large, and even the small blessings that God gave me during a time of trial. It indeed gives me hope, just as the Bible says it will! It also convicts me about writing down all of the blessings He gives me. I'm too good at forgetting what He does to not take time to record it on paper, or on screen! ;]
I've read the saying "God is good all the time" and that's true. More specifically, He's good when everything else is bad. Even during times of trial, His presence surrounds and refreshes me like a cool breeze on hot day. Yes, He is good. So very good to me.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
What Really Matters
While working on my weekly Bible Study lesson from the book Be Patient - I'm Not Perfect Yet by Juanita Purcell, I read the following poem. It sums up how brief life is, and what really matters.Through this toilsome world, alas!
Once and only once I pass;
If a kindness I may show,
If a good deed I may do
To a suffering fellow man,
Let me do it while I can.
No delay, for it is plain
I shall not pass this way again. - By Gail Harvey
Monday, May 5, 2008
Oh yeah, and One More Thing...
I just wanted to tell you about Terry's new blog. I have link to him in the sidebar. It's hilarious. If you need a good laugh, then go on over and check it out. Oh, and one more thing, could you leave him a comment? I know he'd love it!
Have a great day, everybody! :]
Have a great day, everybody! :]
It's Not Really Over
As I go through my Bible each year, or as I teach through it in Super Church, I grieve when we "bury" a Bible character. I recently saw Samuel go to Heaven, and today, I opened up and started reading about the last words of David.
II Sam. 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
When I read that these were the last words of David, it made me sad. "You mean I've already finished his life? We just started!" I thought to myself. I remember being sad when I finished teaching about Moses in Super church. We'd had about 7 weeks of lessons about him. I hated to see him go. Fortunately, I can resurrect both David and Moses by simply flipping back a few pages. That's the beauty of any book, but especially the Bible. You can enjoy it over and over. With the Bible, you can get something brand new even though you've read it ten times! It's a living book.
I'm so thankful that I can enjoy the lives of great Bible characters over and over on Earth, and meet them face to face someday in Heaven!
II Sam. 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
When I read that these were the last words of David, it made me sad. "You mean I've already finished his life? We just started!" I thought to myself. I remember being sad when I finished teaching about Moses in Super church. We'd had about 7 weeks of lessons about him. I hated to see him go. Fortunately, I can resurrect both David and Moses by simply flipping back a few pages. That's the beauty of any book, but especially the Bible. You can enjoy it over and over. With the Bible, you can get something brand new even though you've read it ten times! It's a living book.
I'm so thankful that I can enjoy the lives of great Bible characters over and over on Earth, and meet them face to face someday in Heaven!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Saturday Snap Shots
Hello, everybody! This week I wanted to share a few photos of our trip to Arkansas.
A view from the Mountain Tower in Hot Springs. I had never been there before!! The view was cloudy, and there were puffs of pollen constantly floating up from the pine trees. My sinuses thanked me for staying inside the enclosure!! :)
This is where Terry and I lived in Hot Springs...307 Richard Street. The house used to be a medium blue color, and the yard wasn't so full of plant life. I think it's too crowded looking, but maybe that's just me.
Here's Nana and the grandkids!! Oh yeah, and me too!
Lauren and Mitchell at the Mid-America Science Museum. The machine in the background was on display here when I was a youngster. It brought back memories.
This is a 500 lb. Quartz!
It was mined in Jessieville, Arkansas. This is the small town where my Mom used to be the Elementary Special Ed. teacher, and later the Elementary Principal. How neat!
This is little waterfall at the science museum. Arkansas does have lots of natural beauty.
The Sunday after we returned home, the church surprised Terry with this cake and a love offering for his 30th birthday! It was so thoughtful of them!
A view from the Mountain Tower in Hot Springs. I had never been there before!! The view was cloudy, and there were puffs of pollen constantly floating up from the pine trees. My sinuses thanked me for staying inside the enclosure!! :)
This is where Terry and I lived in Hot Springs...307 Richard Street. The house used to be a medium blue color, and the yard wasn't so full of plant life. I think it's too crowded looking, but maybe that's just me.
Here's Nana and the grandkids!! Oh yeah, and me too!
Lauren and Mitchell at the Mid-America Science Museum. The machine in the background was on display here when I was a youngster. It brought back memories.
This is a 500 lb. Quartz!
It was mined in Jessieville, Arkansas. This is the small town where my Mom used to be the Elementary Special Ed. teacher, and later the Elementary Principal. How neat!
This is little waterfall at the science museum. Arkansas does have lots of natural beauty. The Sunday after we returned home, the church surprised Terry with this cake and a love offering for his 30th birthday! It was so thoughtful of them!Here's Terry cutting his cake. (I'm talking in the background...as usual!! :] )
Laci was trying to write like Daddy and Leslie. I thought it was sweet.
Here it really does look like she's writing, but the pen isn't out so she can't really make marks. Didn't seem to bother her though! *sigh* Children are such a joy!
I best get back to packing. See you Monday, everyone!