While I still have the nerve...

Since I got up the nerve to post about Gothard, as an aside to that, by following a link on that page, I ended up reading the article TEMPERAMENT ANALYSIS

Today I am posting a link to a topic which I was not very familiar until earlier today. My Pastors, from the early 1970's to mid 1980's, were adamant in the warnings against it. Quickly skimming the first few paragraphs, their voices echoed their warnings in my mind. (Am I am the only one with "voices" from the past in my head?)

This might stir up trouble, but I must pass it on, and let the chips fall where they may. My intent is to inform, ok, WARN, and let the reader do with the information what they or their husband deems right and proper.

Bill Gothard

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you and yours a blessed Thankgiving. As you gather with friends, and loved ones, far or near, take time to stop and pray and praise the LORD for the greatest blessing for which we should be thankful, not just on Thanksgiving, but everyday--the FREE gift of Eternal Life, by Grace through faith. What blessed people we are.

Please Pray

Monday, November 24, 2008
Please Pray!!!
Please read this story here to find out the horrible things that are happening to these boys/girls homes that have been helping troubled kids for years. Your prayers are truly needed for all of those involved in this! Let's fight the forces of Satan by coming to the throne and finding grace to help in time of need!

The Hephzibah House is another that has been attacked and they are already trying to pass legislation to shut down all homes in that state.

These kids are so much better off in the environment and programs that these homes offer. They need to stay up and running!

FEEL FREE TO POST THIS ON YOUR BLOG ALSO! WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT TO CHRISTIANS ACROSS AMERICA AND THE WORLD!

Please comment if you are praying!

Needle in a Haystack

Today I was searching for a needle in a haystack, at least that's how I feel...and I feel that way alot when I am looking for information or resources on the internet. It seems that every possible help would be at our fingertips in some far corner. I didn't find MY needle though. However, I did come across some interesting websites that might be helpful to other homeschool moms, especially those on a teeny budget, and/or those who prefer to be eclectic. I hope these will be helpful to you.
The Home School Mom Freebies--educational

The Teachers Corner

Enchanted Learning Printable worksheets, workbooks, printout for thematic studies.

Education World Printables and links all academic subjects and topics. My children love the Writing Bugs!

Multiplication facts Our children HATED memorizing their times tables. It took them ages to nail them down, and they did so only because they saw how necessary they are in real life. This keeps it interesting.The variety that is.

Multiplication Station online game

Cybersleuth Math Linkf to a variety of genres and resources.


What was I looking for???? We are studying rocks and minerals. I was trying to locate video or photos of a real archaeological dig. Know of anything like that??? Please let me know. I tried the smithsonian institute, discovery, nova and the like.... Oh well, this is the last week of gathering information and all that. The children have until the 8th to complete their lapbooks on Archaeology and Rocks.

Collecting rocks is another matter. We are going to keep that up until early spring. I'll try to remember to post photos of their collections then.

I didn't forget about the lapbook videos either. It crossed my mind to do it today, but both STARS are coughing with frogs or horses in their throats. LOL not sure which!

Charity was a great help today. She did all the housework and made dinner.

Bob popped into the Dr.'s office to weigh himself and he is down another pound. Total lost in the last 2 months is 10lbs. Overall loss (in 3 yrs.) is 38#. We both have regular appts. on the 8th. Ugh! I always over or under estimate how much weight I have gained or lost.

A little later I'll post the links to the sermons from last weeks conference. They weigh heavy on my heart, and I am grieved bcz as much as I want to do right, it is such a struggle. A few yrs ago I made the statement that I am not always able to live up to my own convictions, and to all that I believe is right, and Biblical. One of my friends couldn't understand how I could say that, and chided me for it, stating that it wasn't possible, that it was like a fountain that sends forth bitter and sweet water. Even as I began to confess my fault to all of you, the LORD reminded me of the Apostle Paul, who in Romans tells us he had the same trouble. The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Pray for us dear ones. The LORD has alot of work to do, and Praise the LORD that He's still working on me!!!! I always like the song>>>

He's Still Working on Me Such a simple song title but powerful meaning. Think about it!
WORDS & MUSIC: Joel Hemphill


He's still workin' on me,
To make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be,
He's still workin' on me!

VERSE 1:
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart,
"Don't judge me yet, there's an unfinished part."
But I'll be perfect, just ac-cording to His plan,
Fashioned by the Master's loving hand.

VERSE 2:
In the mirror of His Word, reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am, and helps me when I pray,
Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.

Busy with sick children and helping hubbyI know I know I promised to tell you all about out trip and the sermons and the testimonies..... BUT we brought home an unwanted, uninvited guest....Mr. Influenza.....so until he gets sick of us being sick and tired, I am busy nursing my children and myself back to health, trying to keep laundry washed, people fed--not that they really want much to eat, and on top of ALL that, my hubby needs me to help him with the church website.

He's decided to add a new page called Ministry of the Word

Lordwilling this week we'll get moving with school, full steam ahead, and time allowing I am going to start a few winter sewing projects, and work on articles for the print magazine Considering that we are more than a year behind MY schedule, but right on God's timetable, I am NOT going to rush it. The theme for the upcoming issue is/was encouragement. WOW! Did I ever have some lessons in that over the past 9 mos. or so. Definately the LORD has allowed me to have a hefty dose of life and trials to give me insight and help me write from the heart and not just off the top of my head.

Well dear readers, I have to dash off, those germs are multiplying as I type....pray for us. And if you visit our church site, please sign the guestbook..leave your website info or a favorite Christian site, a verse, etc.

God's Amazing Pharmacy

God's Pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.


Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.


A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.


Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak... These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).


Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility. Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.


Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.


Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.


Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.


Psalm 46:10:
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.


Amazing!

Grab Your tissues for 99 Balloons

http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=c975d005cd2c4d261f7f" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" />

King of the Castle

A friend wrote me about her stressful marriage. She feels abused by her husband stating that he yells at her and berates her. This is my response. It is written in the spirit of love and intended to help all of us women who feel at times that our husbands words and attitude hurts our feelings.

Just like we as wives are learning how to be holy women, our husbands are learning to be holy men. They are going to fail, and hurt us, they are going to let their own emotions and the flesh "win" from time to time, or even most of the time. I HAVE BEEN THERE!

Over the years of marriage, and interacting with other women, mostly over the internet, I am more than a little surprised to find that many men do this. In my opinion, this is often because they have not had a godly man for a father, nor have they had any examples to follow.

Please don't get me wrong when I say this, but we live in a society that generally considers men to be inept. Men are one of the few groups of people that may be publicly mocked, emasculated, and degraded without any repercussions. Again, I am NOT justifying wrong actions, words, manner etc. One of the many reasons I said the above about men, is because of the way men are portrayed on TV, in movies, books, etc. Rewind the calendar and go back to the days when Father was honored and revered, when children waited with longing eyes and hearts for Daddy to get home, Daddy was KING of his castle and didn't have to fight for his position. Only today in our sermon, which are studies through the Bible chapter by chapter, there was a lot of wonderful correlation between the scriptures about God and the Priests and the People-in Malachi. Bob was focusing on the children and their attitude/actions. In Malachi the priest were rebuked bcz they were offering less than the best sacrifices to the LORD, and wondering why he didn't accept it. Bob told the children that God knows when we are doing our best (NOT that you aren't) and try to pass it off as being our best. The Priests in Malachi were sacrificing the blind, and sick and lame...that which was less valuable and was going to die, and wanted God to be pleased with it. God told them to offer it to the governor and see if he accepts it. The example Bob used was our children, when they are little, bring us gifts they made or picture they draw and we treasure these things because they gave their best effort to make it for us, now in 10 yrs. they will be ashamed of it but we will still love it. But if they gave us that same gift/picture when they were 10yrs. older and we knew they were capable of more, had seen better work from their hands, should we accept that with the same graciousness? I think not.


Let me assure you that Bob and I have had our rough times, some of them felt like they would destroy us. It is truly God's Grace and Mercy that has brought us thus far. As late as last week, and even yesterday we had a little difference...but let me back up and tell you what I, as a wife, as a mother, as a christian woman, got from this sermon--which was much more entailed, I'm only passing on the hightlights from memory and will eventually post the entire notes on the church website.

Beginning with the basics in my mind-the chain of command-God, Husband, Wife, children.
God is the KING of the Universe, He owns it all. He made it all. All things are subject to him, whether they want to be or not, and in the end, they will all bow down before him, obey him or pay the price for their disobedience. What I got from this message, from Malachi was so clear.....ever hear the expression about a Man being king of his castle? My husband has a kingdom. Your husband has a kingdom. That kingdom is his house/apt., his land; as his wife-we are his subject--isn't it interesting that people in a king's kingdom are called "subjects", (that just occurred to me). Part of the reason the founding fathers of America didnt' want a king was due to them having supreme power over their kingdom--besides the revolt against the mother country england--what the king said, went. We need only look to Esther's King-Husband, Herod, and other kings in Bible times, and other historical periods to see that some kings were good and others were evil, most lay somewhere in between. Nevertheless, to go against the wishes or commands et al of the king meant certain punishment, if not death. Since I am more familiar with Esther's story, I'll use her as an example. Esther was not allowed to approach the king the way she wanted. She feared the law regarding the sceptre. Her husband, the king, loved her. Kings probably have to be stern, harsh, and merciless, for the most part, so that their subjects will obey. Not sure where I was going...but I might jump back in there, ok?

Bob's kingdom is our house/property, his wife-me, his children-the tribe, and the church/ministry here.
The children and I, are his subjects. And we are subject to him by God's command. Depending on the type of king he wants to be known as will dictate his actions. I have to tell you though, with women being emotional types, and men be generally more practical, there is going to be differences in how things are said, and how they are taken on both sides. Anyway..back to what I got from the sermon....

As a subject of King Bob, my sole duty is to submit to him, obey him, and try to please him. By pleasing him I am obedient to the Word of God and thus I please the Father. The hardest thing to do is for me to keep my focus on MY action and reactions, and not on his. I can only control me...to a degree. It's really hard to put this all in a short email, and not sound preachy, or holier than thou.

When the King Leib is displeased with something in his kingdom, it whether it is a big issue or small to me, it is big to him. If instead of beheading me, he give me a lecture, perhaps raises the roof in the process, I need to figure out how to prevent him from being disturbed by that again. As his loyal subject, I want to please him, and keep him happy, and not bother or disturb him. (A quick read of Song of Solomon always helps here) A noisy toy is silenced if possible or removed, dirt is cleaned away, anything that upsets him, we all try to eliminate.

I think that a lot of MY problem has been misguided thinking born out of feminist ideaology that permeates everything....and has been adopted by most churches...

As women, we cannot think like a man. A man cannot think like a woman. The man who goes out to work each day, who works to provide for his family, to pay the bills, to resist temptation, needs to come home to or have a haven of rest and peace, free from care, bother, and to his liking. . He wants a kingdom that is at peace. He wants his kingdom to work a certain way.

For instance: the method/order that I would do a given task, like washing the dishes, is not necessarily the same method/order that Bob would do it. Neither of us is wrong. One of us has to defer to the other. Bob might or might not ask me why I do the dishes the way/order that I do, but is not required to do so. He has the right, as the head of our home, as the King of his kingdom, to say, I want you to do the dishes this way. Then it is my duty to train the children to do it that way, without me acting as though I am upset or disagree with the chosen method, and I MUST NOT let them think I think the king is wrong.

Another example: I grew up in a home where Daddy wanted supper when he walked in the door. He always came to the table to eat as soon as dinner was ready no matter what day it was. Bob grew up being shifted between foster families, his nanny, his mom-was left alone all night while she worked to the early morning hrs. ... His father was such biologically but nothing else. He was never mistreated, but did not experience an upbringing in a traditional family atmosphere like I did. This has been a HUGE point of contention betwween us. I have had to learn to let him eat if he feels like it when dinner is ready. Sometimes he doesn't even want what I made. This sounds awful, but it isn't as bad as it sounds...but I used to think it was terrible. We had fights about it until I decided, he's a big boy and if he doesn't want to eat when the food is ready, and hot, it's his loss. I know it sounds like a bad attitude but it's not. He will eat when he is good and ready, and sometimes he wants to eat a much simpler thing that i prepare. He didn't grow up eating a lot of dinners like we fix and eat. Plus I think being raised in NYC make a difference. He also worked from the age of about 13, which changes eating meals together too. When I finally came to terms with him being king and him being able to decide when he wanted to eat, no matter how much it might hurt my feelings, no matter how special a meal, or prep. time etc....what matters is ME allowing him to run his kingdom as he chooses.

Here's another topic: Home decor.... Bob and I have different tastes in home decor-colors, styles, etc, plus, the arrangement of rooms/furniture. You have no idea how long I have resented the fact that I cannot run out to the store and pick up a new set of sheets, or curtains without considering will Bob like them. (This applies to my clothes, the children's too) You say he is too controling--well, someone has to be in charge, right?
I have hated not having the liberty to redecorate a room MY way. I have fought to have my way in how an shelf is arranged! BUT, it's his castle. He pays for it. And he is loving and gracious and generous enough to let me stay here, and comes home to ME!!!! Yes, I earn my keep, and then some, but if I was laboring in a ministry outside my home, would I expect payment for my work? Would I have disdain for the leader thereof? Why then do I struggle with anger, frustration, disappointment, ....with my husband, the king of the kingdom. What is so difficult?

At times I think he is running things wrong. Don't look so shocked. We have had many fights and arguements. I've shed many tears of bitterness and hurt bcz I questioned his judgement. Good thing he isn't a king like those who would have cut my head off for treason. Our husbands need us to be behind them no matter what. And when we disagree with them it disturbs them and undermines them, and hurts them. Yes, they hurt too. Who else could hurt them more than us, their wife?

My husband needs me to support him, even when he is wrong and I know it, and he knows I know it. He needs to know I trust him. The way I trust him is I have to trust the LORD-that He is dealing with Bob, and that Bob is listening. That is hard! We FAR underestimate the power we have over our husbands. All the world can be for him, but if we are not, his spirit will crumble. We have the power to build or destroy the man God's given to rule over us. Which am I doing today? Uhhhhhh????

Abuse is almost a cliche these days. I actually hate the word. I know true abuse exists, and must be dealt with, however much of what people consider abuse isn't. People think any time a person is angry or stern, raises their voice that they are abusive. A lot of it is called LIFE. Living with another person creates conflict unless one or the other is willing to defer to the judgement, commands, and demands of the other. In our case, according to scripture, we are to reverence, submit, and be subject to our husbands, therefore it our duty to defer. If you husband or mine wants dessert for lunch, breakfast for lunch, and a steak dinner for breakfast, who am I to object. Will it please him? Will it kill me to do that?

Hormones are blamed for a lot of things. I KNOW how sensitive they can make you, how they throw your whole world out of kilter, especially when you are pregnant. Not only that, but something about being pregnant brings out your protective nature, your self preservation, and survival. Speaking for myself, pregnancy makes me selfish too. When I was pregnant it was all about how I felt-how tired, hungry,etc that I was. And I didn't want to be touched much either. Whether it was the marriage bed, or just a simple back rub....NO WAY...leave me alone. That was how I felt.

Now that I have given a glimpse into my struggles, let me show you my heart... and I admit that I often have to stop, take a deep breath, breathe a prayer for help, and readjust my thinking and attitude.... but my goal is to please my husband. What can I do to please him? What makes him happy? How can I help him be all he can be for the glory of God? If GOD asked me to do this for Him would I do it? Oh, I'd do anything God asks me to do.AMEN? ...well... If you would do anything God asks of you, what keeps you from doing so for your husband? This is a painful lesson/sermonette for me too. My toes are throbbing, and I'm the one writing this. OH me!!!

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DANGEROUS TO YOUR PET

THIS IS A PARTIAL LISTING OF THE PLANTS, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND HUMAN FOODS THAT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR YOUR PETSIF YOU SUSPECT A POISONING YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL YOUR VET OR THE ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER AT 1-888-426-4435.HOUSE PLANTS CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR YOUR PET:This is a list of some of the plants that can be deadly or make your puppy very sick. These plants should be removed from in or around your home.AloeAmaryllisAndromeda JaponicaAsian LillyAsparagus FernAustralian NutAutumn CrocusAzaleaBelladonnaBird of ParadiseBittersweetBlack LocustBranching IvyBuckeyeBuddhist PineCaladiumCalla lilyCastor BeanCerimanClematisCordatumCorn PlantCycadasCyclamenDaffodilDaylillyDevil's IvyDieffenbachiaDumbcaneEaster lilyElephant EarsEmerald FernEnglish IvyEucalyptusFernsFiddle Left PhilodendrumGod Dust DracaenaFlorida BeautyfoxgloveGlacier IvyGladiolasGolden PathosHeavenly BambooHoneysuckleHurricane PlantHyacinthHydrangeaIrisJerusalem CherryJimson WeedKalanchoeLantanaLiliesLily of the ValleyLupineMarble QueenMorning GloryMother in lawMountain lauretNarcissusNeedlepoint IvyNephthysisNightshadeOleanderPandaPeace LilyPhilodendronPoison HemlockPrecatory BeanPrivetRed EmeraldRhododendronRibbon Plantsago PlantSatin PothosScheffleraStriped DracaenaSweetheart IvyTulipWater HemlockWisteriaYewYuccaHOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT ARE DANGEROUS:Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory medicationsAcetaminophenCold and flu medicationsAntidepressantsVitaminsHome insect productsRat and mouse baitBleachDiet PillsDisinfectantsFabric SoftenerLeadLighter fluidMothballsAnti cancer drugsSolvents - Paint thinners etcFlea and tick productsDrain cleanersliquid potpourriSlug and snail baitOven Cleaner SpraysLime/scale removerFly baitDetergentsTobacco productsHARMFUL FOODS - DO NOT EVER GIVE ANY OF THESE TO YOUR DOG!AvocadosChocolate - all formsCoffee - all formsOnions and onion powderGarlicGrapesRaisinsMacadamia NutsAlcoholic beveragesMoldy or spoiled foodssaltfatty foodsgum, candy or other foods sweetened with xylitoltea leavesraw yeast doug

Mothers Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend loomed ahead of me like a sentence to the gas chamber.

All day Thursday and Friday I was on the verge of tears. Talk about a pity party... ..I was having a 48+ hr. one.... And I was just all out of sorts with everything. The children tried to comfort me.


They understood that I was trying to be strong, and brave, and trust the LORD but that my heart was hurting, alot, and that no matter what they did or said they were helpless to help.

My brokeness didn't help when I had to help Bob with the tract and be his techie for the day, either. It took only a little bit of a tone and i was in tears.


During the HOURS I sat with Bob at the computer, the rest of the tribe were making desserts for the weekend.

Lets here it for chocolate! That is what every dessert had in common. LOL They have no idea how much I appreciate them doing that for me. It just wouldn't have gotten done, and that would have made us look bad.

Three cheers for Charity, Daniel, Joy and Nathanael.

Bob was adamant that all of us be in our bedroom around 11:30 Fri. night. Then he sent Josh down for water while he showered. Just after his shower, the phone rang. Bob answered it, and after he hung up he complained "that guy always calls so late". I mentioned a name or two, but he didn't tell me if I was right or not. So I was sitting on the bed, Bob called down to Josh, "Josh! Are you still in the bathroom?" (He was downstairs quite a while)

I kept wondering what the big deal was, and I was still trying to just stop whimpering and let joy come forth from my heart. Truly I am very blessed and even if my son wasn't home, he was still my baby and I KNOW he loves me, and is busy starting his own business and has a lot projects to complete.

Soooo, in comes Josh, finally, and says "someone wanted water?". THAT got my attention. I looked up, and had to do a double take...it was David.

Sobby gal that I am I burst into tears and didn't know what to think. I was just overjoyed...and just moments before I was trying to let go of my wishes and trust the LORD and Voila! The LORD gave me the desire of my heart in seconds.

Turns out, the mystery caller just minutes before was David. Josh wasn't in the bathroom but waiting to open the door for David. LOL

We sat up, all 8 of us, talking and hugging and laughing at ME because they got me so good. Usually I am the co-conspiritor for surprises. LOL We sent them to bed at 1:45, and gave them a cut-off of 2am to be quiet. It went a bit longer, but hey, we showed them some added grace, because it isn't every day that David is home.


Sat. morning Dave and Josh had to run to Somerset to pay some bills. They left around 10:30. It did sort of irritate me that David came home late last night and first thing Sat. morning they are out running around. But I kept it to myself.

Right after they left, Bob had me back at his side continuing work on the tract. The Rodriguez family was due in sometime too. Bob was on and off the phone with Pastor C. about the tract, and in between calls we got calls. It was crazy. I can't tell you when I remember us having a Sat. as wild as this one was!

Mid afternoon, just when I was wondering to myself how much longer the boys would be gone, someone yelled that they were home. I broke away for a potty break, when David said that he needed to talk to Daddy-who was on the phone, again! The look on David's face made me dread what was coming. And the big taped up box in his hand added to the mystique. When I re-entered the room I told Bob that David needed to talk to him. David came in bringing the big taped up box with him, which he plopped down by my side. Joshua gave me a bouquet of roses. Then David handed a pair of scissors to me and told me to open the box. (They used a whole role of that wide clear packing tape to close this box up--David said he got it for 98cents) I figured it was a Mother's day present and wanted to wait til Sunday but did as I was instructed.

The first thing I see in the box is a pool skimmer, and boxes/bottles of chlorine and SUPER SHOCK; packages of uninflated inner tubes.... and a smaller taped up box...which I am told to open. We didn't get any pictures of this happening, and I was so overcome with what was going on, I didn't know how to react...cry, joy....etc... Inside the little box was a long receipt...and the words that stood out ot me were "noodles". I was trying to figure out why they got the pools stuff, and what oodles of noodle soup had to do with it, and why were they showing/giving that to me! DUH! On the bottom of the receipt I saw it... P-O-O-L -pool. Would you believe those boys pooled LOLOL their money (sorry for the pun-couldn't resist) and bought me a swimming pool? Neither can I.

The reason they were so adamant that I open the box was so they could set it up and fill it before David went back up to NY. Even though it was snowing t his morning-really it was, MY pool is filled up and ready for swimming. Talk about a BIG mother's day gift. I think I got the biggest one ever...at least in my family!!!! LOL

They did the weed whacking and mowed the yard too. It was so nice to have David home and we all really enjoyed the visit.


Weird. Somehow we managed to get the tract done, missionaries arrived, more phone calls, a lot of fellowship and eating.....


Joy played big sister all weekend.


Bro. Manny preached a good sermon, and their family was such a blessing to us.

You can see a short video of the children playing guitar and singing at www.joyfulhelpmeetathome/blogspot.com
It might be on one of my linked pages....I'm not sure which one it's posted to.

We took pictures which I will upload to facebook, and our photobucket site, and also plan to add them to the church site too. I think we need to add a missionary page.



Sunday was a blur of activity too. We even started 30min. early. Bob preached out of Jonah....it was good too. I'm going to start putting the notes up on the church blog too. Then Bro. Manny's slide and sermon on top of that... then the children had more gifts for me.

By the way, this is VERY unusual for me...most years they only give me some small homemade gifts or regift cute toys they know I like, and they all make cards and write special notes in them. I keep them all. But they went all out this year. Maybe David leaving home prompted them to do it. I don't know. I didn't expect more than cards.

But it was fun to get a large shoe box full of stuff....Lavendar Bath Caviar (do not eat), dissolving rose petals for the bath (AVON), Stationary and matching pens, dark chocolate candy bars, a stuffed giraffe ( I just love them), a beautiful homemade beaded necklace, hair clips and a fancy bar of berry soap...so what does all that tell you??? I STINK! ALOT! LOL I need to write notes, eat more chocolate, fix my hair, ... LOL It was so much fun. Truthfully, I am still very overwhelmed and I don' think the fullness of it all has truly hit me, yet.


What a blessed woman I am. No gifts, soap, candy, No not even a big gift like a POOL means as much to me as the reasons why they did all this...they LOVE me, and wanted to show me that in giving me gifts. Blessed is the woman whose children know they are loved, and who love her in return.

When I was writing out my card to MY Mommy, I did'n't know what to say. Ok..you can stop laughing now...lol...I know it's tough to imagine that, right? But anyway... so I asked the LORD to help me. I started to write, and this is the jist of what I said.... A mother's love is ever growing....and only after I had my own children did I understand how much Mommy loves me, because I know how much I love MY children...and my love for them is ever growing too. It was better sounding in her card, but you get the idea. And the LORD brought Prov. 31 to my mind too. My Mommy is a Prov. 31 woman--it is a good overview of her life. Last night when I spoke to her on the phone she told me I made her cry--it was a good thing--and Mommy doesn't tear up as easily as Daddy and I do, so it really meant a lot to me. I'm still her "curly haired little girl"--and I feel that way inside--who is that strange woman in the mirror and in the photographs? I hope you know that I didn't tell you all this to brag on myself...but on how EXTRA SPECIAL the LORD let me feel this Mothers Day, and how BLESSED I am that my children are willing to give of their penury to express their love to me. It means SO MUCH MORE-the motive and not the gifts--even though I love the gifts too. But, wow, my babies are such a blessing to me, and my constant prayer is that they will continue to be a giving as they are now always, and trust the LORD too.

With Joy and Awe because of what God has allowed,
Terry at home in PA

Missionaries and Mothers Day 2008

Hope Of Japan Pampered Chef Online Party.

Wilhite's Weekday (3) Wishes - April 28, 2008
Wish # 1 (Shellee) - Shellee is hosting an online Pampered Chef party, in order to stock up on some kitchen needs in Japan. She would like to get as many orders as possible. While she would never want me to post this (I’m the husband and can anyway :o) ), if any of you ladies were needing any kitchen supplies, Shellee would appreciate the orders.

The official instruction on how to do that is “They just go to my website at www.pamperedchef.biz/mcummings and select Order Products. Then select YES, I was Invited to a Show. They will then have to put your name in as the host. It will then allow them to shop and even place an order right there. I will get an email with each order placed and will put the order on your show.”

Two Boxes

God's Boxes
I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold. He said, 'Put all your sorrows in the black box and all your joys in the gold.'

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, Both my joys and sorrows I stored, But though the gold became heavier each day, The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black, I wanted to find out why, And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole, Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused, 'I wonder where my sorrows could be!' He smiled a gentle smile and said, 'My child, they're all here with me..'

I asked God, why He gave me the boxes, Why the gold and the black with the hole? 'My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings & the black is for you to let go.'

We should consider all of our friends a blessing.
Send this to a friend today just to let them know you are thinking of them and that they are a joy in your life.

A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends.

But the treasure inside for you to see, Is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me. Today I pass the friendship ball to you. Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you...

Marlene Evans Changed my life

About 15 years ago I was loaned several tapes from First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana. These were lesson tapes from the ladies meetings they hold each year. One that completely changed my thinking, was titled "Five Sins of Christian Women", by Marlene Evans. Mrs. Evans has gone to be with the LORD, but her messages were life changing. If you can aquire a copy of this tape, do it. You'll be glad you did. One of her favorite sayings was rejoice in the LORD alway.

Create More Space

Create More Space
It's not the amount of room you have that matters -- it's how you manage it. Try these clever ways to work with what you have.
Create storage space under the bed.
Bring order to small items in the closet with a pegboard wall.
Double shelf space in the kitchen.
Extend a windowsill for more display space.
Keep toiletries organized with an out-of-the-way bathroom shelf.
Fashion a complete office in a chest.
More Organizing Solutions
Room-by-Room Guide
Ideas for Stylish Storage
Organizing Tip of the Day
Browse All Our Ideas

Update Missions Trip to Honduras

For those who are interested, there are photos of the orphanage where our son is volunteering in Honduras. I think I saw a little of him in one photo but it's too hard to tell. Please visit

www.childrenslighthouse.blogspot.com

Pray for the precious children and that the LORD will strengthen those who minister there everyday. It is not an easy place to live. Read the posts on their blog and you will be very glad you are in the USA..

Prayer request

My oldest son is going on his first working missions trip. This will be his first time flying or leaving the country, except for a few hours we spent in Niagara Falls, Canada back a few years ago.

Pray for safety, traveling mercies, and for the LORD to work in his heart, the he will draw closer to the LORD as a result of this time away from all the familiar things of the USA. Our hearts desire is that he will be used of God, and that he will want to be used.

The "Little" things

The 'L I T T L E' Things .

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was His turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her Alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike Because of an auto accident.

One of them Missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take Time to change.

One's Car wouldn't start.

One went back to Answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled And didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't Get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man

Who put on a new pair of shoes that morning,

Took the various means to get to work

But before he got there,

he developed a blister on his foot.

He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid.

That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am

Stuck in traffic,

Miss an elevator,

Turn back to answer a ringing telephone...

All the little things that annoy me.

I think to myself,

This is exactly where

God wants me to be at this very moment...

Next time your morning seems to be

Going wrong,

The children are slow getting dressed,

You can't seem to find the car keys,

You hit every traffic light,

Don't get mad or frustrated;

God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you

With all those annoying little things

And may you remember their possible purpose.

Pass this on to someone else, if you'd like...

There is NO LUCK attached.

If you delete this, it's okay:

God's Love Is Not Dependent On E-Mail !!

Helping Hubby

Earlier today I spent time helping my hubby on the computer. It is very hard when, as a wife, you are the one who is more informed, or has more knowledge about a topic. It puts you in a superior position that makes it really hard to remember you are to be in subjection. How do you help, when it boils down to teaching, when the one you are helping/teaching is you hubby?

As usual, I'm ashamed to say, I got testy, and frustrated. But all in all we got the job done without me totally losing it, or getting my feelings hurt. If you would pop over to our church website an check it out, that would be a blessing. Please sign the guest book too.

The LORD is giving us opportunity to minister in a less traditional way,at least according to modern thinking. In May we will be putting up 2 missionary families. One couple will be newlyweds on deputation to Philipines. The other family of 4 with a new baby on the way are headed to Cuba. Though our church is small, we are trying to be faithful.

Be not weary in in well doing, for ye shall reap if ye faint not-- we are claiming this verse, and trusting the LORD to enable us to keep going even when we can't go on any further.
I
So if you are having a hard day, remember, it is just temporal and one day all this will pass. Cling to Rom 8:28.

Pray for me as I hone in this blog and get my act together. I may close some of my other ones to focus more fully on the few good ones, that are easy to use and maintain. And I really like that there aren't any ads on these.

The Blessing of Children, Abigail Miller

So true, and one day we all reach the point and time when we will miss this, and want it all back, even for just a day.

Turn the Tide - A Prayer for America - Abigail Miller

This is a blessing and makes you realize just how much trouble our nation is in. We need to pray for our country, it's leaders, and especially for the Body of Christ to be strong.

Today is Thursday

In our homeschool we are studying the solar system. Several times in the past we have attempted notebooking, but it was a dismal failure. Never one to give up on making fun, and tired of books and boredom myself, we've given it another try.

There is a great deal of help on the web, but the best one I found was http://www.squidoo.com/lapbooking/ There are hundreds of links for anything you might want or need to do lapbooks.

The great thing about lapbooks is that they allow your children freedom to artfully learn about a topic, have fun, and in the end, not only will they/do they retain more information, but they feel a deep sense of accomplishment with their work of art.

If you are looking for a break from the norm, I highly recommend you give lapbooks a try.

Aprons

Welcome

Thanks for coming by. This is my newest venture. Please bear with me as I begin in a new place.

Stop back soon to see what is new, or subscribe to my blog.

Terry at Home in PA