Merry CHRISTmas!

Just wanted to wish all you readers, if there are any, a wonderfully Merry CHRISTmas! I pray that you all know the reason behind this season...Jesus Christ who came and died for you to have eternal life. It is my Christmas wish that you all come to know Jesus this Christmas. God bless you all!

Thankfulness for health

As I sit here reading posts on Facebook about several friends and their families being sick, I stopped to think about my family. I had some sinus junk a few weeks ago, as did the hubby, but I can't remember the last time the girls got sick...no seriously. I can't remember. We moved here almost exactly 4 months ago and they have only been to the doctor once...to get a flu shot. So it has been at least before we moved here. And if I remember correctly, their last doctor appointments before the move were for well-child check-ups. Why do I bring this up? Well, why...why aren't my kids getting sick? Lucky? I think not. I am 100% certain that this is absolutely in no way a coincidence.


Let me explain. I believe that God is a right now God. I believe that He is still in the business of healing. (among other miracles as well) I don't think it's always something He does just because He wants to though. You have to want it. You have to ask for it. How does one go about doing that? Well, I have made it a habit within the last few years to pray health over my children daily. The words I say are not profound in any way, but they come from an earnest heart. I ask the Lord to watch over my children as they are away from home. I ask Him to protect them from illness and injury...and so far, so good. There was this one day, last school year I didn't pray for health over them...and wouldn't you know it, my Angel came home sick that day from school. I haven't missed a day since...and He has been faithful.


So, thanks God for keeping my family healthy. Thanks for Your Son whom You sent to die for us to have healing and freedom. Thanks for being faithful to me as I am faithful to You.


I challenge you to try it...try praying health and healing over yourself and your family...and see if He isn't faithful.

“When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”” Matthew 2:4-6

Movie Review: The Way Home

The Way Home is based on a true story. This family has young children and a father who works hard and is seemingly absent from the home. The Simpkins family got a wake up call that none of us ever wants. Their youngest son goes missing. The movie centers around the search for their child and is a great story of a community coming together. And a family finding the importance of faith in God and in one another. It is a very heartwarming story with a feel-good vibe.


My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and have watched it several times. The story is easy to follow and is played out well enough for my two children to follow easily. My only complaint about the movie is the camera work. Some of it is a bit shaky and unsteady in parts. It is something that is easily overlooked, however. I will recommend this movie to all my friends and family. I might even be purchasing a copy or two for Christmas gifts!

A copy of this movie was provided by Booksneeze.com.  I did not receive any compensation in exchange for this review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

So blessed...

Ya know, I am so blessed. No really, I am. And if you are reading this, you are too. Let me explain...


If you've been following my blog, then you know that we have recently moved. At first, I was quite apprehensive about it. Now, I see a little bit more into God's plan through this move. I was blessed with a wonderful group of friends in A-Town. I enjoyed living life and loving life with each and every one of them. That, I think, was the hardest part about moving. Now that I am settled here in the Falls, I have another totally different group of friends...just as spectacular. I didn't trade one group for the other...I've got 2! How lucky can one person get? Well, there's more! On my weight-loss journey, I joined SparkPeople. I have gained a few, very special, very dear friends...haven't met them yet, but I hope to remedy that in the future. As I sit here pondering life and all it brings, I am so incredibly overwhelmed by the love God has chosen to pour out on me through His people. I am literally moved to tears! I am so incredibly humbled. I think I may sit here and cry for a bit...all the while thanking God for everything He has chosen to bless me with.


Have a wonderful day everyone...and count your blessings, literally. You'll get to a point where you'll run out of numbers and just sit there thanking God for all of it...I promise!


Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col 3:15

Girl's Getaway...

Today is the day! Every year our ladies ministry hosts a 'Girl's Getaway' to Frisco. We go for a night, spend time in the Word and in fellowship with one another. I am blessed to be able to go. I didn't think it was going to fit into the budget, but God thought otherwise and put it on someone's heart to pay my way. I am so grateful.


I feel a little guilty to be so excited. I'm also a little nervous. I mean, I hardly know these women...but from what I know they are great. I also feel like God wants me to share some of my testimony with them...and that scares the crap out of me. I'm certainly human and have made lots of mistakes...more than most. But that's what makes my testimony so powerful...God still loves me enough to use me after all my shortcomings.


I am looking forward to getting away and leaving all my 'hats' at home and discovering a little more about myself. Learn who Elaina is without being wife and mother...I think that may be the scariest part. Will I like who I am?

I am a runner!

I mentioned in my last post about the C25K program I am doing. Well, I NEVER thought I would actually enjoy running. I mean, in basic training when I had to run, I did it. I didn't enjoy it, but I did it.


Anyhow, I've attempted the C25K program in the past with little success. I found the program on CoolRunning.com and attempted counting the intervals myself. Well, when you are working so hard on running/jogging, counting your time is a little difficult...LOL! One of my wonderful friends mentioned that she was using a podcast and it was working out well for her...so I decided to search iTunes for one. I happened upon Robert Ullrey's podcast and it's working out pretty well for me so far. I'm not a huge fan of the music he uses, but it's got a pretty good beat that keeps you moving.


I started my program on September, 27th and I'm now on week 4. At this time, I am planning on running a 5K here locally in December. I originally wanted to do one in November, but I won't be quite done with my training by then, so I decided against it. But I'm kinda excited about it! That's totally strange, I'm excited about running 3.1 miles....LOL!


I love that there are so many different walking/biking/running trails here in the Falls. And I really love that there's one right across the street from our apartment complex...and it goes all the way to Lake Wichita, which is beautiful!


So stay tuned for more about my running adventures!


Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Ps 27:14

Whoa, it's been a while!

I've been so busy lately working on my new healthier lifestyle that I haven't blogged. Ugh. Well, to get y'all up to date, here's what's been going on in my world...


I signed up on SparkPeople.com and began tracking my food and exercise and have lost 7.2 pounds since 13 September! Super stoked about that! About a week after changing my eating, I started the C25K program again. If you are not familiar with it, it's a running program designed to take you from not running at all (me) and build up your stamina and endurance to run a 5K. It is a 9-12 week program (depending on you) and I am on week 3! Super stoked about it! I am seeing so much of the city with all of the outdoor walking/biking tracks. I'm lovin' it!!


We are getting quite settled in to our new town. As I've said before, we have found our church home here and we are loving it! Making new friends and preparing to begin serving again. I can't wait to jump in feet first with these youth. I'm so excited about all of the service projects that this youth group does! I love the hearts of the pastor and his wife and can't wait to serve alongside them.


The girls are making some friends at school and they've both gotten to spend some extra time with them outside of school. I think it's great for them to get a break from one another every once in a while. (for them and me!)


The girls and I have been to the dentist (yuk) this week and oh boy. Now I see why you should take advantage of biannual visits. It's been over a year since we visited and it's not pretty. We all need to go back to have further work done. The girls both need pretty extensive work done, but I think the appointment today was a wake-up call to them both. Listening to what they said to them today and what I told them when I came home yesterday, I think that they just might understand how important caring for their teeth is. And the financial blow will help me to keep on them about brushing and flossing. But I'm not going to stress about it. God is bigger than a dentist's bill and He can help me with the training of the girls' into new habits. Even though our insurance isn't the greatest, I am thankful for it...because I don't even want to think of what the bill would be without it.


Well, I think that about sums it all up. Not much, but a whole lot at the same time! Blessings all!


(I hope to be posting again soon. I have 2 reviews that I need to write!)


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Seeing through God's eyes

Today was absolutely amazing! I knew it was going to be a good day when the hubby and I started bickering before church...LOL! The enemy always tries to divide us when he knows the Lord has something great for one or both of us. I pressed through though.


We got to church and began to worship. Then the Lord began to reveal to me what He sees when His people worship corporately. I closed my eyes and saw in the Spirit angels EVERYWHERE! The sanctuary in our church is HUGE...and there wasn't an empty seat in the house. Where there were no people physically, there was an angel. And the sound! Oh was it Heavenly!! Like nothing I've ever heard before!! Think about the most beautiful harmony you've ever heard and multiply it about 10 times...and that's not even close! The entire church, angels and all, were worshipping the Lord like nothing I've ever experienced. I could feel it in my bones! He kept showing me more and more and I have to say that this is, quite possibly, the most incredible experience I've ever had.


Of course I had to write it down to share with the pastors. (and I kept a copy for myself too) I am eager to hear the response from them. I handed it to the pastor's wife and she was busy...I will see them both tonight and look forward to hearing their take on it.


Oh, and the sermon went right along with what the Lord was showing me. Isn't it great how God will sometimes give us a sneak peek of what He's doing? I love it! Thanks God for finding me worthy enough to see your heart and relay it to the leaders of this House.


For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb 10:30-31

God's best gift

While I watched my girls walk into school this morning...something hit me...how incredibly blessed our family is. Hear me out.


My girls are blessed to have one another. They are blessed to have such a close bond. Sure they fight all the time, like siblings do, but when all the arguments are over and the bickering is cast aside, they love each other. They protect one another. I am so glad they have each other. I have some great siblings myself. While I'm not as close to them as my girls are to one another, I am still blessed to have them. I don't think I could imagine either of my girls being an only child. They compliment one another. They each bring something new and different to our lives. I am grateful that they have such a bond. It sure has come in handy with this move. They are one another's only playmate right now. They are one another's only friend. It warms my heart to know that they will never be alone in life. They will have God, and one another.


I also am blessed in this. I have two amazingly smart, beautiful, talented, lovable, individual daughters. God sure knew what He was doing when He placed each of them in our lives. I'm not too sure I would know what to do with a son, but a daughter I can do! They bring so much to my life daily. Sometimes they drive me crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am becoming the person God created me to be by being their mother. I just pray that I am blessing them as much as they bless me.


Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Ps 127:3 MSG

DONE!!!

So I started a new journey last week. The journey to a better me. I'm not a bad me right now, but there is LOTS of room for improvement. For example...my weight. Growing up, I was not an overweight kid. Actually, I was too thin. I left home and all of the structure that I knew all my life and began to gain weight. My heaviest weight came during a very stressful and emotional time in my life. While my hubby was in Korea for a year, I got up to a whopping 230 pounds. On a 5'4" frame, that's pretty big. Ah, who am I kidding, it was huge. I was in a size 20. Well, I lost some then found some...then lost some again. Lately it seems like I keep losing and finding the same 20 pounds...it just shifts. Well, I'm done...DONE being the fat girl. Done not feeling comfortable in my own skin. Done not being able to wear clothes without an elastic waistband. Done not wearing an entire wardrobe of clothes because they are too small. I'M. JUST. DONE! 


I stumbled upon SparkPeople.com while looking for a recipe calorie calculator. (for the muffins) I began to look around and read lots of inspiring stories. So, I began to track my food and exercise. I was doing ok...and then I stumbled upon another calculator on the site. My original goal was to get down to 170 pounds by my birthday next year...totally doable. Well, yesterday, I plugged my numbers into this calculator and it said I could reach my goal (more or less) by my anniversary...which is 6 months before my birthday! That's when it hit me that this CAN be done. So I set my new goal with a new outlook. All I have to do is lose 1 pound a week.....1 pound! I can do that. I was looking at the total number, which was overwhelming me. Looking at it as 1 pound a week makes it much less intimidating! So, here I go toward a healthier me! Will you join me? Let's renovate our temples!!!


Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 1 Cor 16:9

Breakfast Muffins

Last night I decided that I was hungry for something a little sweet. If I were to make an entire cake, it would have been gone by the end of the week...consumed mainly by me. Not good when you are trying to eat healthier and lose weight. I searched for a healthy muffin recipe...we are out of cereal in the house, and I just found out this morning...and proceeded to make a batch. This is the recipe that I based my muffins on...modified of course. Here's what I ended up making.


Golden raisin muffins


1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (original called for 1 cup each)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
Here's where I started modifying
1/3 cup applesauce (I used one of the single serve applesauce containers)(original called for oil)
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup golden raisins (any dried fruit would work here)


Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix wet ingredients in a smaller bowl. Combine the wet and dry just until incorporated. Don't over mix or they will turn out hard. Add any additional ingredients. Scoop into greased or lined muffin pan. Bake 20-25 minutes at 400˚.


The family really enjoyed them. There are so many different things you can do with a basic muffin recipe! I think I will be playing around and finding other things my family likes...it will definitely reduce my girls' sugar consumption for breakfast! I'll post any other yummy combinations I discover.


Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Stroll N Roll

Sounds silly, but hear me out. Stroll N Roll is an annual event that the city puts on. Several of the city's museums waive their admission fee (most are free anyway) and the city transports museum goers by trolly or bus to 7 of the 9 participating locations. So not only do you not have to pay to get in, you don't have to 'spend' your gas either. (and in our case, you don't have to get lost trying to find them all) So here's the highlights.


Our first stop was the North Texas History Museum. I think this one was my favorite...not really because I care all that much about Texas history, but the exhibits were just cool. The first room we went into had a ton of dioramas in it. That, to me, is awesome. To take all that time and make a replica of something...that's dedication...and love. The attention to detail was pretty amazing too. There was also a plethora of information about the city's history in just this one room. I was impressed. 

There was so much other stuff, I can't tell you about all of it, but here are some highlights. There was a military section with all kinds of military paraphernalia. There was one room that had all kinds of medical stuff in it...doctor's house call bag, all kinds of bed pans, nurse uniform, and other medical tools. The coolest thing in this room was the iron lung. There was a guy in there who showed us how the whole thing works and even let the girls put their hands in the little ports. I was just amazed at the difference from today's medical advances. There was another room that had 500 different hats all from different people. It is a personal collection of a man (forgot who) who apparently had a thing for cowboy hats. Also in this room were different artifacts from the 1930's...ladies fashion, telephone and telephone directory, the 'drug store' and the post office. The post office was made from actual parts of an old post office in the city. When they were renovating, they were just going to get rid of it, but the townspeople fought to preserve it as a part of their history. Just cool.

Next up was the WF Railroad Museum. We rode the 'kiddie train' around...no one was thrilled about it. It was just an old airport baggage car painted to look like a train with old bus seats. But we were out to experience it all, so we did it. This was my second favorite because it brought back so many memories I had as a child going to the railroad with my Papa. I actually had tears come to my eyes when I watched my girls climb up into the train engine. It was definitely bittersweet. My favorite was the dining car. You can actually bring food and eat in the dining car...kinda get the experience. There were also some old crank trucks out front that intrigued my hubby.

Next was the WF Police and Fire Museum. Pretty cool, but by this point it was getting hot! They had an old fire engine that was made in 1942 and was still in commission in 1979. There was an actual paddywagon. You could even get on one of the old engines and crank the siren. The girls got to have a hot dog and we got to refresh with some cold water.


Ahh, Big Girl's favorite...Kemp Center for the Arts. Not really a whole lot of art 'exhibits' but there were artists there doing their thing. She got to see one lady painting clay beads that she made and another sculpting a bust from a picture. You should have seen her face...it was truly priceless. We got lots of information about different classes that the kiddos can take...she's stoked...so am I.


Then there was Kell House. Mr Kell was one of the founding fathers of WF, from what I gather. He built the house in 1909 for his wife. They had 6 daughters and 1 son. Nearly all of the furnishings in the house are original. I didn't get any pictures of this because I was so amazed at the beauty and preservation in this home...WOW!

Last stop was the River Bend Nature Center. This was pretty cool. We saw all kinds of creatures including an opossum, salamander, a quail, some katydids, and a pretty hairy tarantula. Out in the conservatory there are lots of butterflies. Being the end of the summer we didn't see a whole lot of them but this place was awesome! There were several little stopping places for the kids to do different activities. Then we browsed around the gift shop. I don't think I've ever seen so many different eco-friendly products in one place before. I also learned about the different places to recycle here. So it's not that they don't recycle here, they just don't make it as easy...which is sad.


I think we spent about 4 1/2 hours just touring the different places and everyone had fun! The first thing Angel said when she walked back in the house was, "That was fun!" I think that about sums up everyone's feelings. I look forward to repeating the tour next year and visiting the various museums between now and then.


He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

That fateful day...

Everyone is posting all this stuff on FB about what they were doing on 9/11. Well, what I was doing wasn't all that wowing. The hubby was working swings and we were asleep. Oblivious to it all. My mother-in-law called and told us to turn on the TV and kinda half explained what was going on...well, we were still half asleep, so it took a while for it all to sink in. 


We turned on the TV just in time to see the live footage of the 2nd plane crashing into the tower. For the longest time, it seemed like something out of a movie...a bad movie. I couldn't understand how or why someone would do those things to the country I love. No matter how many times they showed the same footage, I still couldn't believe it. 


Well, life as we knew it changed that day...drastically. At the time, we lived on base. We were on virtual lock-down. We couldn't leave the base after a certain hour. It was craziness! I remember many of my non-military friends were calling to make sure we were ok. They sent cards and other trinkets of sentiment to let us know they were praying for us. I just remember feeling so incredibly sad and helpless. I held my toddler so tightly and never wanted to let her go.


So, as you go about your day today, remember all those who died...and their families who were left behind to pick up the pieces and carry on the legacy. Also remember all of those who died before and after that fateful day to give you the freedoms you now have. But most importantly, pray for all of those who are so lost in sin and misguided faith...pray for your enemies today. Pray for America's enemies today...lest we have another day like the one 9 years ago...


I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Little of this and that...

Well, I haven't had all that much to write about, hence the no posting. We've just been getting used to our weekly routine. The holiday kinda threw us way off, but we spent the whole day hanging out together. That is what holidays are for!


Anyhow, I've met some really great ladies here. Some were 'introduced' to me by a mutual friend through Facebook before we moved here, others I've met through our church...and one of the people I 'met' before we got here even goes to our church! How awesome is that? Well, God (and some of the aforementioned ladies) is (are) not letting me be shy...not that that's usually an issue with me, but, you know. He's tossing me right in and getting me together with these wonderful women of God...which is the biggest thing I'm missing from A-Town.


The (amazing) Children's Pastor at our church invited me to lunch one day last week. Well, she let me pick...rut roh! We went to a Japanese hibachi/sushi restaurant called Samurai of Tokyo...awesome! She was so stoked when I told her where we were going...LOL! Well, after lunch, we went back to the church and I helped her rearrange a few things in some of the classrooms. Well, spending a while with her, I discovered that she isn't all that technologically savvy...she'll be the first to admit it too! Well, I offered to help her with menial office work once a week. Needless to say, she was more than willing!


Then, I was invited to breakfast at another friend's house. It gave me a great opportunity to get to know her and two other ladies better. It was pretty awesome. I must say that I am slowly beginning to see how God is planning to use me, and I'm excited!


So I guess I did have a lot to write about...kinda...LOL!


Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

Book Review: The Jesus You Can’t Ignore by John MacArthur

This book refutes the idea that Jesus was passive in His ministry on Earth. Sure, Jesus is love, but He didn’t just lie down and take it from those who opposed Him. The Jesus You Can’t Ignore takes you step by step through the Scriptures and describes how Jesus was passionate and unapologetic when it came to the Truth.

First off, this book took me a while to read because there was SO much information in it. I love how the author refers to Scripture so often. I love how it challenged me to read my Bible even more. I think that if someone is looking to reignite his/her passion for the Jesus that seems to be forgotten, this is the book to read! I will most definitely recommend this book to many friends.

My only suggestion is that when (not if) you read this book, let it be the only one. There is a large amount of information and Scripture to cover, so you will want it to be your primary focus. I look forward to reading The Jesus You Can’t Ignore again and again…and I know I will get something new out of it each time.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Insatiable Hunger

Lately I've been getting quite discouraged. Not about anything in particular, just down I guess. I'm fairly certain that this is just another ploy of the enemy to make me ineffective. Well, he just hasn't learned his lesson, has he? Doesn't he know that I'm about as stubborn as they come? You'd think after 32 years of trying, he'd figure that out...guess not. Well, I AM stubborn. Once I stick my mind to something, that's it, it's going to happen. That's the way it is with my walk with Christ. I gave my whole heart and my whole life to Him. Walking that out daily sometimes proves to be a little difficult, but I'm not turning back now!


Last night we had a great teaching on the Holy Spirit and where/how He fits into our lives. I prayed a crazy prayer, and as always, God came through and showed Himself faithful. I prayed that He give me more hunger and desire to get into His Word daily. Well, today, I can't seem to get enough of the things of God. I'm looking everywhere I can to find encouraging devotionals, podcasts or commentaries. I just can't get enough! I know having these resources in my arsenal will help me not to get down and/or help to lift me back up if I do. This is the one thing that I can think of that you can never have too much of! So, if you have a favorite resource, please feel free to share it! Be blessed!


The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees. Ps 119:64 

O Happy Day!

Today was a pretty great day! We went to church, and they were having a special event called 'Kickoff Sunday.' Quite similar to what many churches do around this time of year. Summer's over, school is starting and people are beginning to go back to church. (people as a whole that is, we never stopped) Summer tends to be a time of low attendance for most churches. Anyhow...the church service today consisted of showcasing the different ministries and giving out awards to volunteers of the different ministries. I'm fairly certain that our attending on this Sunday was no coincidence. Let me explain...


I know that God is calling me back to the youth ministry. My hubby has a great desire to serve in the media ministry. Today, we were able to see what this church was all about...and all the different people who were passionate about the different ministries. We got to see the heart of the people in this church. I think that is important to know whether or not you fit in.


I am happy to say that I know, we know, that this is where God is calling us. Evangel Temple will be our church home for the duration of our time in the Falls. During our first visit on Wed, we were welcomed with open arms by everyone we encountered. The class we attended was full of real people, just like you and I...and these people were full of the love of God. You could just see it. Today, we found out that this church is passionate about the same things we are passionate about. These are real people...who love God.


I am looking forward to serving the kingdom, the community and my Lord with these people. I am grateful that the Lord spoke so clearly to us about this major decision. Be blessed everyone!


There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galations 3:28

From the same mold

I'm not sure if it's the military wife thing, or if it's the Jesus thing, but my friends and I are all cut with the same mold. Let me explain...


My last blog post wasn't the happiest. I'm sure to some it sounded like I was whining. To others, it may have sounded like a cry for help before things got too bad. And for others, well, it resonated with them...took them back to a time when they felt the same way, and they sympathized with me. It was not meant for any of those things...it was just meant for me to be able to get the junk that was festering on the inside out...somehow.


Well, today is my birthday. I turned 32. No big deal, just another day, just another year. No really, I'm not really big on celebrating my birthday. Well, the hubs and kids were up before me and decided to make homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Nice idea, but it didn't really pan out...so we have cinnamon rolls for dessert tonight! :) Anyhow, we were all just chilling around the house, me in my PJ's and the kids just lounging. Well, next thing I know, I hear a knock on my door...odd. We don't know many people here, and I didn't call anyone to come over for anything. So I look through the peep hole and who do I see? One of my best friends from A-town. Talk about a surprise!! Apparently she and my hubby were planning this since last night...sneaks! Anyhow, she brought me some 'friend plants' and said that we were going to get a pedicure. I gave her a little tour of our apartment, and off we went...well once I changed into 'out in public' clothes.


So we went and got pedicures and just spent the day hanging out. It was exactly what I needed. I'm not sure if she will ever know just how much today meant to me. Even if we hadn't left my apartment and just lounged all day, she was here. She cared enough to drive 150 miles to make sure I wasn't lonely. I must say, it was the best birthday present I have ever received...ever. Thanks D!


There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

The "L" word...

This morning has been rough. Here I am in a new city and aside from my family, I know 3 people. In A-town, nearly every corner I turned, I knew someone. I lived there for 11 years. It was my home. It was safe. And now here I am...lonely. There, I said it. I'm lonely.

I know God has a plan for me here. And I know how He's going to work through me. But through my human eyes, I just can't see how it's gonna work. In order to speak into people's lives, you have to speak to them. That's a little difficult to do when you haven't even met them. 

So while I was at my lowest this morning, God gave me a little message through a song. It says exactly what I needed to hear this morning. I am hanging on to Your promises God. I will no longer listen to the voice of the accuser when he says I'm not important...I know I'm important to You!

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Sometimes you just know

There are many times in our lives when we experience something and we just know if it's God's will for us or not. Take for example, our church home in A-town. We had backslidden a little bit and I knew we were supposed to go back, but I was pretty sure it wasn't supposed to be back to the same church we were at before. Well, I have this friend who was always inviting me to special events at her church, and on Sunday's too. She kept on and on and on and on...well you get the picture. Finally, just to stop the invites, I decided to go on a Sunday morning. (The hubs was deployed at the time.) Needless to say the moment I walked in the door, I knew I was home. No question. I felt welcomed the moment I walked in the door. The worship was great, the Word was spot on and there were lots of people that I knew. There was a great degree of comfort there. 


I feel that when we are walking in the will of God, it will just feel right. And on the opposite end, when we are not walking in the will of God, we will know it. (Me personally, I get a knot in the pit of my stomach that won't go away) Now, sometimes the things God will ask us to do are uncomfortable, but there is still a sense of peace and comfort as we walk those things out. You know? Like this move...I mean come on. What's comfortable about a move? But the entire time we've been walking through this, I can sense God all over it. There is a peace.


Well, in our search for a church home here in the Falls, we toured a couple of churches that were recommended by our pastor. We attended one last Sunday and the other last night. It's amazing to me the difference I felt in my spirit. Not that one church was 'better' than the other, just one is the church for us and the other is not. Now I know that we haven't really seen what either church is really about, but I'm pretty positive I know which will be our church home for the next 3 years. More to come later as we hear definitively from God.


Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

Just pondering

Well, with this move and not knowing many people, I have time to think...LOTS of time to think about lots of things. One of the things that's been on my mind lately is mail. Yes, mail. I told you, lots of time to think about lots of things. I would venture to say in the 3 years we lived in our house, that about 75% of the mail that we received, was just your standard pre-sorted kind that everyone gets. About 24% of it was bills and other stuff that most people get. The other 1% was personal communication between us and someone else. Why? Why is there so little personal mail nowadays? Well, e-mail, social networking, texting and phone calls is why. Not that any of those things are bad...at all. But why do we rely so heavily on those things? 


Don't you remember when you were younger and you got a piece of mail sent to you? Remember how that felt? That feeling never really goes away...when it's a personal letter or card or something to that effect. I love that feeling. I know my girls do, too. That's why I try to put a little note in their lunch box every day. That's also why I send people little postcards or cards when I think about it. Everyone loves to feel special and thought about.


My wonderful big sister sent the girls and the hubs and I cards the first week we were here. Ours was a singing card...she loves those! It really lifted my spirits. Any time I feel down, I just open that card and have to dance and laugh!! The girls loved their cards too! So, thanks sis for helping the transition be a little easier on us!


Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165

Availability

I've been hearing A LOT lately about being available for the Lord to use me. I think I've heard about 3-4 sermons in the last few months about this very thing. And each one seems to have been tailor made for me. So I've been thinking, why? Why does it feel like every time someone talks about being available, they are talking directly to me? Well, probably because GOD is talking directly to me...through one of His servants. So, now that I realize this, what to do with it? Well, make myself available of course. But how? In a town where I know 2 people besides my own family...how? Be myself. Plain and simple. I know, from experience and the Lord telling me, that He works best through me when I am myself. A genuine, loving, caring, generous people person. That means that I'm gonna have to step outside of my comfort zone and meet people...eek. Those moms that are standing on the school grounds. (who all seem to already know one another) People at the grocery store. People in my apartment complex. Whoever the Lord leads me to talk to. I'm willing to do this, but I'm so scared. I know most of you think that I'm this person who has no problem talking to anyone...well, that's half-way true. I am truly intimidated to talk to people I don't know. Why? Maybe because I think they will judge me. Maybe I think they won't like me. I don't know, but I'm at the point right now that, I don't really care what I feel. -- I have been sent here by the Creator of the universe to show His love to His people. And there are SO MANY here who are hurting and need His love...they just don't know it yet, but I can see it. He has shown me. -- But it still scares the junk out of me.


I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Ps 116:1-2

Recipe

So tonight I did some pantry cooking. That's where I take whatever is in the pantry and mix it with some meat and...BAM...there's dinner. Here's what I threw together tonight. My family enjoyed it!


I'm calling it Pasta Bake (I'm sure it's been done before)


1 - 1.5 lb. ground beef (cooked)
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes (can use the seasoned kind if you like)
1 8 oz can of tomato sauce (again, you can use the seasoned kind)
cooked penne pasta (I'm not a measuring kind of girl...I use 1 fistful per person +1)
4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
seasoning to taste


Boil your pasta until al dente, about 7 minutes. Brown your ground beef. Combine beef, pasta, sauce and tomatoes in a 9X13 baking dish. Season to taste. (I used Italian seasoning, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper) Top with cheese and bake for 10 minutes. Serves 6-8


This was so tasty, I think it will be a regular on our menu! And my family didn't mind the chunks of tomatoes either...and none of them like tomatoes.

The true test...

So, here it is Sunday. We are 150 miles away from our church home. The church home that helped us rebuild our marriage after it nearly fell apart. It's slightly daunting to think about walking into a church where I know no one...that no one knows me. No one knows our story, our history, our testimony. We are visiting a church this morning that our pastor recommended, so I know it's a good one. I know he loves us enough to send us to a great church...but it's still so hard.


I know the Lord is stretching us in this process. Stretching us for what, I don't know. We are going to walk in with an open mind, open hearts and open ears. We are seeking the place that we will call our church home during this 3 year 'mission trip' in Wichita Falls. We are listening to what the Lord will say about each church we will visit. We will only stay at the church He tells us.


We want to use the talents and gifts You have given us, Lord. Show us where you want us to go! Amen!


He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

A new and better leaf

I decided when we found out we had orders that I would try to be a better wife, mother and housekeeper.  I'm not a bad wife or mother, but I want to be better. Those of you who know me well, know I'm not the best housekeeper. Now, I wake with my husband and read the Word and pray with him. Then I get the girls started with their day and do a devo with them. In between, I have some personal prayer/Word time...nothing better! And even though there are still lots of boxes laying around, the house is picked up. I've gotten the girls started with 'chore charts' if you will, which is getting them started on the right road. They have done great with them! Angel's room is spotless and Big Girl's is way better than it would be without the daily routine. I've put things away where they belong...and they are staying there too! I have gone to bed every night with a clean kitchen...which is HUGE! I've kept up with the laundry...partly because I don't have anywhere to store piles of dirty laundry and partly from the new routine.


I have to say, I'm really digging this new routine and I hope to keep it going...forever. I have found that I have so much more time to do the things I want to do. Once the girls go back to school, I am going to throw some exercising into that new routine. I mean, the fitness center is just steps from my door. Why wouldn't I? Here's to turning over a new leaf and starting down the path toward health! Blessings y'all!


By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

Progress...slow, but still progress

Yesterday, I got the kitchen completely put together, minus decorating the walls. Boy did that feel good!!! I decided that in order to make this place feel like home, I needed something hung on at least one wall. Naturally the best place to start is with our family photo that was given to us from our dear friends. So the hubs and I set off to hang pictures with some words (that I got a super deal on) from Hobby Lobby. Here is the result.

This is the dining room wall.

Well, I wanted to keep it going, so I decided to finish another room today. My Angel is only 7 and has a hard time cleaning and putting things together the way I like them. So, in order to get anything finished, I have to do it. This makes my Big Girl pretty angry, because she thinks I'm favoring Angel. This is not the case...I do help her as well. Anyhow, Angel is now responsible for keeping her room the way I did it...and she knows it. Angel's room is the one that got finished and here are the results.

  

Now that I have a few things under my belt, I can continue with the rest of the house. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. Pr 18:9

Venturing out...

Well, we got quite a bit accomplished today. The girls' rooms are nearly put together (including some fun wall decorations) and my wonderful hubby managed to put most of our room together. 


The girls and I went this morning to register them for school and HOLY MOLY is that school huge! I think it was once a high school or something...sheesh! Found out who the girls' teachers will be and where they are located. We will be able to meet their teachers on Thurs. night. 


After we went to their school, we decided to find Wal-Mart. It's not my favorite store, but I kinda knew where it was, so I felt safe going out on my own to find it. And find it we did! We got curtains for the kitchen, living room, and the girls' rooms. Well, there were a few things not right with what we got, so Big Girl and I ventured back out to return them and get what we needed. We decided to go a different route to see what we could find...well, low and behold, we found another Wal-Mart! (and Hastings, Hobby Lobby and Mardel!) Then we found a great little frozen yogurt shop with 14 or so different flavors!! Stopped at TJ Maxx and Ross and managed to find Big Girl some school shoes...she's so picky!


And the day is ending just perfectly! The girls and I went for a swim after dinner and then they ran off some energy in the 'yard' while the hubs and I chilled on the back patio. Now they are in bed and here I sit with a cup-a-joe...life is good!

Our yummy 'frogurt' concoction! Peanut butter/chocolate with chocolate chips!

The perfect end to a pretty good day!

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8