Growing Forever Daisies

Wacky Wednesday! Pickles

2012-02-01T15:10:00.002-06:00

What did one pickle say to the other?

You mean a great dill to me.

Tip Tuesday: when all that is left is the kleenex box

2012-01-31T14:30:00.003-06:00

Winter time often means kleenex time! Don't throw the empty kleenex box away! You can use it to store all those plastic bags in!

Takes up very little room, especially the square boxes.

Holds many, many bags.

Convenient opening on the top to pull out bags easily. You can remove the plastic if you want.
Can go most anywhere:
in the car under the seat
under the sink in the bathroom
in a safe place near a baby's changing table
near a desk trash can

Cheap storage use.

When all beat up after a time, use another empty kleenex box you have lying around.

as a guest post for Bring Me Hope: Update on "David"

2012-01-30T11:09:00.000-06:00

As a guest post on the Bring Me Hope Blog:

On the Road to Belonging!
January 30, 2012
Here is an update on David (volunteer Micah Crowe’s buddy from camp in Xi’an this summer!). We are excited to pray alongside Jim and Kari Schott as they seek to bring David home to be a part of their forever family! The following is a guest post by Jim and Kari about their “China adventure” to bring David home!
_________________________________________
“Smooooch!” The chapstick worked well for the principal as he bent down to kiss a way too cute pig at the school carnival. A highlight of the school carnival, there was also good food, lots of kids, and fun games. In the midst of all the candy and treats, one game was thoughtfully giving toothbrushes to the winners. Our little man came home with two new toothbrushes feeling very proud of himself.

As he handed them to me to put away, he said, “Mom, I want you to save this for my brother.” He has three older sisters. We have been praying about a brother to adopt. We began the adoption road almost three years ago. There is no doubt why God gave this little man the nickname “Hope-bug.”

Not that cross your fingers kind of hope. A wish. A dream. Known certainty is the kind of hope we can have. Lots of things we don’t know, but we can focus on what we do know. God is love. God sent His Son, Jesus, to adopt us into His family. God is with us! If we will put our hope in Jesus, we know we will be with Him always. Why? Because of who Jesus Is. We put ourselves in the very Hands of Hope.

Our little man is praying for his brother whom we have nicknamed “Peace-bug.” We pray that his prayers, and ours, will strengthen our faith as we have our hope in God, trusting God to work His plans in our lives and in “brother’s” life too.

Hope-Bug’s verse is Psalm 71:5-6, “Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in You; I have trusted in You since I was young. I have relied on You all my life; You have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise You.”

Not too bad for a preemie who came 5 weeks early and his lungs were not ready. God knew this verse a year before our Hope-bug came. His first breath was absolutely in God’s hands. He’s a big Kindergartner now ready to run and play with his brother.

Two weeks after the school carnival, while checking out face book, I saw a post by Micah Crowe on the Bring Me Hope website. Micah wrote about a sweet, smiling little boy who needed a family. I could email Kelly to learn more about him. I did. We talked on the phone.

My husband and I talked to Living Hope Adoption Agency. We liked the “hope” connection. We sent our application in with much prayer and hope. We were so excited to learn that we had been matched and could begin our China adventure!

How did I read the post on Bring Me Hope’s face book page? My friend, who has four children adopted from China and whom several of our children are in the same grade at the same school and we go to the same church, took her oldest daughter to China last summer to volunteer at a Bring Me Hope Camp.

We walked to help raise money two years in a row with this beautiful family and were blessed to be a small part of their love and time given in China last summer through Bring Me Hope.

Since our being matched, we have met many special people who love our son. Pictures and videos have been given to us and much prayer has been said for us and for him.

Bring Me Hope has been a connection for many of these people and especially for the precious children the summer camp is meant for.

Who knew that a little smiling boy, often pictured right in the middle of a group of children, would attend summer camp for Chinese orphans, have his story shared by this organization by someone who loves him and prays for him to have a family, read by us just because we had supported and prayed for friends who volunteered at this camp? God knew.

Our son who waits for us in China has been given the nick name “peace-bug.” We have nicknames for all our children. And we also give each of them a Bible verse. His verse, picked out 12-4-2009, is Psalm 22:9-10, “You, Lord, brought me safely through birth and You protected me when I was a baby at my mother’s breast. From the day I was born, I have been in Your care, and from the time of my birth, You have been my God.”

We hope to complete one more major piece soon to complete our home study and then have all the paperwork put together and mailed to China.

My blog is www.growingforeverdaisies.blogspot.com.

Thank you for your prayers for us as we continue our China adventure to bring our son home.

______

Micah Crowe (the volunteer who worked with David in Xi’an) adds that she highly encourages everyone to advocate for all these amazing children who still need forever families. Please continue to pray over every Bring Me Hope “Star of the Week” and spread the word about these kids! Praise God that David’s forever family found him so quickly- now let’s help other forever families find their kids!

Food for Thought--Book Review FridayF

2012-01-27T08:59:00.003-06:00

Funny with timeless messages, the Adam Raccoon series by Glen Keane are excellent story books to have and keep for future generations.

Easy to read, quick-paced stories with animation that will look somewhat familiar, these stories will be treasured times with your children. Glenn Keane has illustrated for Disney like the movie The Fox and The Hound and many more current projects. The Adam Raccoon storybooks showcase his ability to create real characters coming alive on pages full of vibrant colors.

Adam Raccoon has many adventures and lessons with King Aaron to help him and guide him along the way. There are some questions parents can talk about with their kids at the end of each book.

These books can be found on Amazon or ebay, and some may surprise you at how high the price can go. Why? Because Glen Keane is also the son of Family Circus author, Bill Keane. Good deals can be found, your money well spent.

Great books for young and old--Adam Raccoon!

Thought 4 Thursday: when the burdens grow greater

2012-01-26T09:30:00.002-06:00

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction, He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed e’re the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving has only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

-Annie Johnston Flint

Wacky Wednesday!

2012-01-25T08:11:00.000-06:00

After Noah finished loading up all the animals into the ark,
he was heard saying, "Now I herd of everything!"

Tip Tuesday: Put those papers in the trash...

2012-01-24T12:06:00.002-06:00

Stand by the trash can and go through your mail. So much of the mail is junk mail and you will save much time and energy going through and tossing out.

For mail that is monthly such as charity donations and bills--keep a file nearby and you will find yourself more likely to file those items instead of throwing them in a pile to put away later. Close by and easy will motivate you to drop in your items and forget about them until a need arises.

Time is money--so put those papers (junk mail) in the trash and you might get some spending cash...

Monday Message: The Long Way Home...Our Adoption

2012-01-23T08:45:00.002-06:00

"Long Way Home"
*Steven Curtis Chapman, cd: REcreation

I set out on a great adventure
The day my Father started leading me home
Said theres gonna be mountians to climb
And valleys were gonna go through

But I had no way of knowing
Just how hard this journey could be
Cause the mountians are steeper
And the valleys are deeper than I ever would had dreamed

But I know were gonna make it
And I know were gonna get there soon
And I know sometimes it seems like, were going the wrong way
But its just the long way home

Some rocks on my shoes
Fears I wish I could lose
That make the mountians so hard to climb
And my heart gets so heavy with the weight of the world sometimes

There's a bag of regrets,
Should've beens, and not yets
That keep on dragging around
And I can hardly wait till the day I get to lay them all down

I know that day is coming
I know its gonna be here soon
I won't turn back even if the whole world says I'm going the wrong way
Cause its just the long way home

When we cant take another step
The Father will pick us up and carry us in His arms
And even on the best days, He says to remember were not home yet
So don't get too comfortable
Cause we are just pilgrims passing through

I know that day is coming
I know were gonna be there soon
I keep on singing and believing
What all of my songs say

Cause our God has made a promise
And I know everything He says is true
He promised He would never ever leave us
He's gonna lead us
He'll lead us home

Every single step of the long way home
So keep on, were gonna make it
Were just taking the long way home
So keep on, were gonna make it
I know, were gonna make it
Its just the long way home
-------
The words of this song not only sing about life, but I also feel the words really relate to our adoption and the process we have been through. Certainly, we have been on the long way to bring our child home. Also true, every step of the way, God has made a promise, we know what He says is true, and He will lead us and help us through.

Like Warren Wiersbe said, "God does not have accidents, only appointments." We have an appointment in China this year to adopt our son Dan and bring him into our home and family. After all the time (about 3 years since we began the adoption trail), all the paperwork (visited our doctor five times and counting as one example), after all the hurdles and barriers, the path continues steadily and purposefully.

Little by little, piece by piece, the requirements get checked off and forward we move. Some days are three steps forward and four steps back, yet the new day comes and here we go again! God gives us His strength and His courage to continue on.

We have one big piece left to complete for our home study and then all the paperwork and the home study will be wrapped together like a present and be sent to China with our love stowed away between the many pages.

For us, adoption has been the long way home. One day is coming soon--we will leave for China and bring home our son. For now we are going to keep on keeping on this long way home. Dan, you are worth every step and we can't wait to meet you face to face.

"I Am El-Shaddai, God Almighty--serve Me faithfully and live a blameless life....Is anything to hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 17:1b, 18:13b)

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday: Nile Mother

2012-01-20T08:38:00.002-06:00

From the United States to Egypt, Lillian Trasher became Mama to thousands of orphaned children and a friend to many widows. Leaving behind her friends, her family and her fiance, trusting God to show her where in Africa to go, Lillian bought a one way ticket to the east coast. Her adventure began!

A young, single woman set out to open an orphanage in country that at that time had no where for orphaned (or unwanted) children to go. Many found a home and a very large family with Lillian and those who served with her, including many widows and her sister, Jenny.

"This is life, to help those who need you and those who have no one else but you," Lillian told a reporter. 'Not long before her hospitalization and death, a reporter asked her what her secret was about her missionary success. The reporter asked her what was the greatest thing you ever did? She said, "No secret. I just stayed. I din't quit. I stayed with the work God gave me to do." (p. 189)

The Governor of Lillian's Egyptian province came and wrote among other things in the visitors' book: "Possibly her success could be written in three words: faith, faithfulness, and patience (p. 180).

On her last trip to America, Lillian challenged her listeners to make a start on what they felt God had told them to do and not wait for all the pierces to fall into place first. She shared about her three-brick rule. "Once you know it's God's will, get moving! At the orphanage, we start a building project as soon as we have three bricks to put on top of each other." (p. 184-185)

This story is encouraging and full of lessons in faith. Bound with prayer, a life that loved God more than anything else, day by day blessed thousands of lives and changed generations to come. Read about Lillian Trasher--yes, Trasher--not Thrasher--and your own life will not be the same. God has adventures for you and me, too!

Lillian Trasher: The Greatest Wonder in Egypt
Janet Benge, Geoff Benge
Ywam Publishing / 2004 /

Thought 4 Thursday: A Long Way Home

2012-01-19T08:18:00.002-06:00

http://youtu.be/NpYEwbHPjrs

Some days seem longer than others.
With adoption, the road is often the long way home for these waiting children.
Adopted into God's family (I John 3:1), we are on the long way Home.

-The Long Way Home can be found on Steven Curtis Chapman's new cd RE:Creation which I feel is an awesome cd

Wacky Wednesday!

2012-01-18T08:26:00.001-06:00

Why did the student eat his homework?
The teacher told him it was a piece of cake.

Tip Tuesday: Bargain Shopping

2012-01-17T13:18:00.000-06:00

Lots of Christmas markdowns now! Saw 75-90% off Christmas/holiday items. Wal-Mart was drastically giving markdowns today when I was there. Christmas items, Christmas toys, Christmas candy and whatever else was thrown in.

Seasonal clothing sales are here too. The stores have to make room for spring clothing, so keep your eyes open on winter clearance sales. Make a list of what you need to help you not buy duplicates, but buying what you can for next year now can save a lot of money.

This is a good time to put a few small toy gifts in your gift box for the last minute birthday party, etc. Wal-Mart had the lego people regularly $3 for $1. Helps in a pinch.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day!

2012-01-16T10:49:00.001-06:00

Freedom! The dream of every person. Thankful to remember MLK and his wisdom knowing that all people are equal--no matter the color.

Thinking about adding a Chinese little boy to our family, while our family may be labeled a "conspicuous family," I do not see us standing out just because we have different skin tones and eye shape.

Thankful to see past the outward, I see creative variety. Some of us have brown hair, some blonde. Some blue eyes, some brown, and one with green eyes. Hair--we have curls, wavy, straight, and fuzzies.

So creative! So interestingly fun! So like our Creator! To me, I can imagine Heaven being full of people with creative colors and it will be beautiful.

We might stick out when comparing our family to the 2 1/2 kid ratio deemed average in America, but for me, I am not comparing our family to others around us. I am thinking about us in Heaven and seeing that we blend right in.

We are colored people and we live in a painted world. (DC TALK)

Food 4 Thought Friday: Just in Case You Ever Wonder...

2012-01-13T13:09:00.001-06:00

To me, this is one of the best children's story ever written! Who doesn't sometimes wonder if we are still lovable?

Especially when things aren't going our way...
When we get a bad grade or have a bad day...
When kids are mean to us...

We can remember that no matter what Mom and Dad love us just in case we ever wonder!

This wonderful book is based on true life. The author wrote the story for his own little girls. He remembers when they were born, how fast they grew, and how much they wanted to try new things. Even though things kept changing, one thing would remain the same--Dad and Mom loved them...just in case they ever wondered.

Bought many years ago, all our kids have enjoyed this story. Can be found in hardback, softback, and even board book for the little chewers.

Occasionally I still whisper to one of the kids...I love you..just in case you ever wonder.

Just in Case You Ever Wonder
By: Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson / 2011 / Hardcover

Thought 4 Thursday:

2012-01-12T12:06:00.000-06:00

If your point is right, but the tone of your voice is wrong – then you are wrong and you just missed your opportunity to make your point!

-Jill Savage, Hearts at Home

Wacky Wednesday!

2012-01-11T13:55:00.000-06:00

Two for you:
We used these two and some others to get some smiles on our faces this morning. Week half way over!

A riddle:

What has a head like a cat, a tail like a cat, and feet like a cat but is NOT a cat?

Answer: a kitten!

How many cowboys does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A. Five. One to screw in the light bulb and four to sing about how much they miss the old light bulb. :D

Tip Tuesday: Coffee filters

2012-01-10T09:32:00.000-06:00

Coffee Filters
• Safe stacking: Put a coffee filter between plates when storing. For nonstick pots and pans, use one to keep the surface from being scratched when you stack them.

• "Snack bowls": Use coffee filters as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

• Prevent spills: Wrap a filter around a taco shell to prevent spills — this is especially good for little ones.

• “Drip catcher:” Great for wrapping around frozen pops and ice creams.

• Glass cleanser: Clean windows and mirrors using a filter.

• Mini cutting board: Put down a coffee filter when chopping (not slicing) one tomato, onion, etc.

• Handi-wipes: Keep filters in your car for window cleaning, to use as napkins and for quick cleanups.

• Flower-pot liner: Put a filter in the bottom of a small pot when repotting.

Read more: Unusual Uses for Everyday Items - Alternative Uses for Household Items - Heloise's Hints for Good Housekeeping

Message Monday:

2012-01-09T08:28:00.000-06:00

Feliz Año Nuevo

Happy New Year 2012!

Our road heading down south led the Schott Family to Mexico. We spent one week in Reynosa, Mexico at an orphanage painting palm trees and walls, playing games with the kids (Uno came in handy!), and other small fix-it jobs. The fabulous food was always accompanied with tortillas and a Coke could be found easily. We were part of the 13th trip—Amigo Trece’—from our church in Newton.

Heading up north on the road again, we make a stop at Kindergarten for JW. He is the first to run through the school doors each morning. JW likes show n’ share each Friday and recess. He is learning how to read and enjoys doing math. He turned 6 this summer and keeps asking when the diving board pool will be open again to go swimming. Until the weather warms up enough to swim outside again, he’ll settle for a good nerf gun battle. I find nerf bullets in the strangest places!

Taking our first left, we find Connie’s classroom next to JW’s. She is 8 now and in 3rd grade. Connie loves to sing and dance and dance and sing! She enjoys basketball camp and her zhu zhu toy hamsters. The first one on-call if anyone is injured in the family, Doctor Connie Schott is there to assist however needed. Her black cat, B.C. (for black cat), is as active if not more so than the owner!

Kori cruised into the teen world of junior high, turning 13 this past December. She saved up her money and moved into the Ipad world enjoying her new “toy.” Art starts her day at school wonderfully and basketball ends most of her days right now. Her new white cat with green eyes (of course—green), Angel, follows Kori around like a dog. Kori auditioned and was selected to be part of the KCDA Treble Honor Choir.

STOP! Weren’t Kori and Kaylynn little just yesterday?

Is that a set of hoof prints on the road? Two sets??? Kaylynn’s dream came true! She is the owner of two horses, Junior and Cheyenne. When she is not outside with her horses, being a fifteen-year-old freshman in high school fills up her schedule. This summer will probably add some tire tracks to the roadway, but last summer when asked about driver’s ed, Kaylynn said, “Who needs a car when all I need is a horse?” Kaylynn fills our home with piano music and country music. She “never wants to leave the farm.”

The farm? We have four outside brother cats that were part of a litter of 13. Shadow, Tebow, Cinnamon, and Tiger joined the family keeping our outdoors a big playground. Held and loved on as kittens, the big fur-balls love people! With cats, hay and horses, our new house in the country has been great! We live five minutes from school and enjoy the beautiful orange and blue sunsets across the wide-open Kansas prairie.

From the peaceful prairie to the crowded city of Xi’an, China, Jim, Kari with JW, hope to make a trip to the Orient paving a new road to bring home and into our family a very sweet eight-year-old boy we have named Joshua Daniel Edward Schott. ‘Dan’ has been in the orphanage since he was three months old. We have been enjoying many pictures and even a couple of videos of him. His verse is Psalm 22:9-10, “You, Lord, brought me safely through birth and You protected me when I was a baby…From the day I was born, I have been in Your care, and from the time of my birth, You have been my God.” We are very thankful and excited about Dan joining our family!

A country road goes past our home, south to Mexico, far east to China, all because of a country road going past an inn with a stable where a Baby was born so that all hearts can find the road Home. As Jim and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this year, we are thankful to God for this road we have been on and have hope and peace traveling the road ahead, step by step following Jesus all of our days. May we seek Him in the morning, learn to walk in His ways, and follow Him all our days*. (*Sometimes by Step by Rich Mullins) May God be with you this new 2012 year and always!

Love, Jim and Kari, Kaylynn, Kori, Connie, Joshua Daniel, and JW Schott

Dancing with Max--a beautiful story of life

2012-01-06T08:28:00.000-06:00

Dancing with Max is a story of a mom and her son who has autism who open the door to the amazing mysteries of life and its purpose.

Emily has had a tough row to hoe, yet she trusts God to give her strength for the daily challenges she faces. In the daily struggles of her life, she learns the beauty God has in ashes. She catches flashes of heaven.

Max is a sweet baby who cries and throws tantrums and never really seems to "grow out of it." He has severe anxiety in public places. Like a human GPS, Max has a photographic memory when it comes to road signs, bridges, and cars. His compassionate heart sees beyond what the eye can see and flashes of heaven can be shown to the patient eye watching him. As he grows up in this story, Max grows in all the hearts who are fortunate to know him.

This story is a beautiful weaving of life: full of ups and downs, disappointments and victories, joy and pain. The story is also about the Story Maker, God. God created Max and He has plans for him. The dance that God has is full of purpose and reason even when we may not understand or know all the answers. We see Max and his struggles with the simplest things, yet when caring for another hurting person, his strengths turn on like a faucet pouring out his love.

As January is the Celebration of the Sanctity of Life Month, reading this book reminds me again how close God is to those with disabilities. And that in one way or another, we all have disabilities. From conception to death, God is the One in control of our lives. He loves us and wants us to know that.

Job 10:10-12
New Living Translation (NLT)

10 You guided my conception
and formed me in the womb.[a]
11 You clothed me with skin and flesh,
and you knit my bones and sinews together.
12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.
My life was preserved by your care.

Dancing with Max: A Mother and Son Who Broke Free
Emily Colson Boehme, Charles Colson
Zondervan / 2010 / Hardcover

Thought 4 Thursday

2012-01-05T17:58:00.001-06:00

Tony Dungy
Determine to seek God's priorities for your life. It begins by spending time with Him, daily.

Wacky Wednesday! Feeling Butter?

2012-01-04T10:07:00.000-06:00

JW was getting the tub of butter out of the fridge. With a family of our size, the tub is large. It fell a little and bonked him in the noise. He was surprised, but fine. I said, "Hope you feel butter, JW!"
"Moooooooooom!"

I love it!

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday

2011-12-30T19:08:00.001-06:00

In Grandma's Attic is like sitting together hearing great family stories--humor, adventure, some tears, and lots of wisdom! Back by popular demand, this series of books can be treasured by your kids. Grandma Mabel tells her granddaughter what she did when she was a little girl. As a little girl, Mabel had many instances that turned her mama's hair gray and her daddy's hair turn loose!

Tested by time, this book never gets old! Pick up your series today and it will be a treasure always.

In Grandma's Attic, repackaged
By: Arleta Richardson
More in In Grandma's Attic Series
David C. Cook / 2011 / Paperback

Thought 4 Thursday: We can know!

2011-12-29T07:30:00.000-06:00

"And we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts."

I John 5:20-21

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-12-28T09:43:00.000-06:00

A prisoner was told that he could be set free if he could use three colors in one sentence.

The prisoner replied,
"Well, the phone went green, green, green and I pinked it up and went, "Yellow!"

-contributed by Kori

Tip Tuesday: Reading through the Bible in a new way for a new year!!

2011-12-27T14:07:00.000-06:00

Chronologically reading the Bible this year will be a first for me. I am looking forward to skipping around some as the timeline unfolds, and understanding in new ways what God's message, His Word, is--to me and you.

You can read chronologically with me (and many others) or look on Biblegateway.com for different Bible reading ideas. I found my schedule on the joniandfriends.org website. Here is January and February to get you started.

Chronological Bible-in-a-Year Reading Schedule
Jan 1: Gen 1-3
Jan 2: Gen 4-7
Jan 3: Gen 8-11
Jan 4: Job 1-5
Jan 5: Job 6-9
Jan 6: Job 10-13
Jan 7: Job 14-16
Jan 8: Job 17-20
Jan 9: Job 21-23
Jan 10: Job 24-28
Jan 11: Job 29-31
Jan 12: Job 32-34
Jan 13: Job 35-37
Jan 14: Job 38-39
Jan 15: Job 40-42
Jan 16: Gen 12-15
Jan 17: Gen 16-18
Jan 18: Gen 19-21
Jan 19: Gen 22-24
Jan 20: Gen 25-26
Jan 21: Gen 27-29
Jan 22: Gen 30-31
Jan 23: Gen 32-34
Jan 24: Gen 35-37
Jan 25: Gen 38-40
Jan 26: Gen 41-42
Jan 27: Gen 43-45
Jan 28: Gen 46-47
Jan 29: Gen 48-50
Jan 30: Ex 1-3
Jan 31: Ex 4-6
Feb 1: Ex 7-9
Feb 2: Ex 10-12
Feb 3: Ex 13-15
Feb 4: Ex 16-18
Feb 5: Ex 19-21
Feb 6: Ex 22-24
Feb 7: Ex 25-27
Feb 8: Ex 28-29
Feb 9: Ex 30-32
Feb 10: Ex 33-35
Feb 11: Ex 36-38
Feb 12: Ex 39-40
Feb 13: Lev 1-4
Feb 14: Lev 5-7
Feb 15: Lev 8-10
Feb 16: Lev 11-13
Feb 17: Lev 14-15
Feb 18: Lev 16-18
Feb 19: Lev 19-21
Feb 20: Lev 22-23
Feb 21: Lev 24-25
Feb 22: Lev 26-27
Feb 23: Num 1-2
Feb 24: Num 3-4
Feb 25: Num 5-6
Feb 26: Num 7
Feb 27: Num 8-10
Feb 28/29: Num 11-13

Message Monday: Watercolor Ponies

2011-12-26T21:43:00.001-06:00

"Connie! He looks like Jack Sparrow! No, like Prince Caspian," JW excitedly shouted. Connie replied, "No, he looks like Jesus."

They were looking at an older picture of Wayne Watson, the writer of the song, 'Watercolor Ponies.'

The song is about how fast our children grow and that "one day, the watercolor ponies will ride away."

Thankful for a special Christmas time with our watercolor ponies celebrating the promised birth of Jesus Christ. Eating birthday cake for breakfast, the sweet taste in my mouth does not compare with His sweet love that has changed my life.

As the new year's starting whistle is about to sound off, I am thankful for the time just to sit and soak in this time with my watercolor ponies knowing that we share His love and His love is timeless. One day, they will ride away into the plans God has for them knowing that their mom is praying for them.

"But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hands."
Psalm 31:14-15

Message Monday: Thirteen

2011-12-13T06:02:00.000-06:00

Thirteen might be unlucky to some, but to me, thirteen years with my Joy-bug has been a gift!

She came into this world after a long wait in line at Wal-Mart a few days after her due date. IF anyone can enjoy a birth, this came close to it. I knew what to ask for this time and felt more prepared for this second birth. I even tried raspberry tea beforehand to help with pain. Once I deposited it back into the waste basket nearby at the hospital, this baby was all set to enter the world!

She creates. She loves art. She can begin a sentence starting with a period and write it out completely ending with the capital letter. When we had her diagnosed for dyslexia, the man said she was above in intelligence and would invent or create things and pay others to type out her notes.

Most of all, what I love about this girl is her heart. She wanted a green heart when she was little.

"Create in me a GREEN heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me..."

She finished reading Gracia Burnham's book, "In the Presence of My Enemies" and is now reading for at least the second time, a book about Lillian Trasher, a young woman who left America to spend her life serving orphans and widows in Egypt.

She presents plays and performances that she writes and produces involving whomever may want to be part of the show.

Her stereo booms music.

Now she is entering a whole new phase in her life--an official teenager. At last. Beautiful, creative, joyful. What lies ahead for this girl? Her daddy and I pray this verse picked out before she was born:

Psalm 19:13-14
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

13You are the one

who put me together

inside my mother's body,

14and I praise you

because of

the wonderful way

you created me.

Everything you do is marvelous!

Of this I have no doubt.

Thirteen years has been wonderful with this girl!

Tip Tuesday: All I Want for Christmas is...

2011-12-13T05:52:00.000-06:00

Hints to bringing gift giving under control:

1. Keep an event calendar and plan ahead for the gifts.
2. Initiate some family crafts and make some of the gifts.
3. Draw names for selected gifts.
4. Do not buy gifts on credit.
5. Help your children earn money for gifts.
*source: Larry Burkett

Some other ideas...

time
a date
a chore done
a service given
a phone call or letter
singing a song, maybe written especially for that person
making a play or program and presenting as a gift
baked goods
donating to an organization in that person's name

What are some of your ideas?

Merry Christmas!

Thought 4 Thursday: Is it...? or Is This...?

2011-12-08T08:24:00.000-06:00

"The issue for the dedicated Christian is not simply "Is it right or wrong?" or "Is it bad or good?" The key issue is "Is this the will of God for me?"

-Warren Wierbe

Wacky Wednesday! What is green...

2011-12-07T08:24:00.000-06:00

What is green, covered with tinsel and goes ribbet ribbet?

Mistle-toad!

Tip Tuesday:Who Doesn't Want to Open a Present?

2011-12-06T08:40:00.000-06:00

Open each box present and find what is inside with a surprise in the 7th box. Everything is good quality and a fun way to do the Nativity story with your children. There is a story book that goes along. This can be as short or long as you would like it to be. A special time with your children, check "What God Wants for Christmas" out today at your local bookstore or at Christianbook.com. Our family has enjoyed this year after year!

Message Monday: Update on China Adventure...Brrrrr!

2011-12-05T09:18:00.000-06:00

Brrrrrrrr!
Anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees depending on what southern location in China I am looking at! As we bundle up in our coats, hats and nose muffs, I will be praying Joshua is warm and cozy today.

We have signed our contract and started our pre-adoption classes. There is much reading to do for these and about 12 credit hours needed. We will learn a lot and already are jotting down new ideas.

Like seeing if we can't get chopsticks for our whole family like the ones we see Joshua using in a video we saw him eating on. While he learns how to use a fork, spoon and knife, he can teach us how to use chopsticks.

Like learning some words in Chinese so we can say "I love you" and "Jesus loves you and made you special."

Like learning some Chinese recipes that he would be use to eating when transitioning him as he discovers American pizza and chicken nuggets. Wonder if he has had ice cream?

A verse to pray for us and our family as we take the next step in our adoption adventure is Psalm 67:1-2. Jim and I chose this verse for us when we were married and it is a prayer for our family as well. Jim felt this verse would be a great verse for our Schott Family 2012 verse. Our 10th wedding anniversary is in 2012. Perhaps we will be celebrating ten years together with our five children sitting around the table eating cake and ice cream together.

New International Version (NIV)

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us-
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

Thank You, God!

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday

2011-12-02T09:51:00.000-06:00

Another amazing series by Beverly Lewis, Nellie Fisher is a fun character who kept me interested in what was going to happen next in her life and in the lives of those around her.

Drawing from a surprising diary of a younger sister who died tragically in a drowning accident, Nellie and her family are changed forever. Many families in their Amish community are faced with a decision of how Scripture will play a role in their own lives and in the lives of their families.

Nellie and her beau, Caleb, are in the middle of all the changes. Her friend Rosanna, who desperately wants a child of her own, finds her heart taken several directions in such a short time. When a donkey kicks Caleb's father in the head and leaves the man paralyzed facing his own death, one of the greatest surprises of all happens to the People.

Three books in this series, I really enjoyed the characters and wanted to find out how so many threads would be tied up. The only draw-back to this set was it took so long to get to some conclusion that the ending was disappointingly short, much described in the epilogue. Plus, I am not sure I would have ended Nellie's own story the way the author did. I really leaned toward another honorable guy named Christian Yoder.

Overall, my favorite is still the Shunning series by Lewis and then Abram's Daughters. This one was great to read, but disappointed with how the author wrapped up so much drama. Check it out at your local library and see what you think.

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher, 3 Volumes
By: Beverly Lewis
Baker / 2008 / Paperback

Thought 4 Thursday from across the pond...

2011-12-01T08:39:00.000-06:00

Take my will, and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.
- Frances Ridley Havergal

Wacky Wednesday! Did you know...

2011-11-30T20:36:00.000-06:00

Did you know...

Mary was the first one to carry the Gospel?

Tip Tuesday: Wrap it Up!

2011-11-29T09:05:00.001-06:00

Wrapping paper can sometimes cost as much as the gift! What ways to stretch the dollar when it comes to something that is mostly thrown away when done?

*calendars make great wrap for smaller presents
*wall paper is an option
*plain sacks decorated by your kids or yourself can personalize a gift
*fabric can bring a creative flair to a gift
*butcher paper--buy in a big roll, have kids decorate if desired, will last forever
*cloth bags--reusable, and options for decor are unlimited
*stockings--can make them personalized by putting person's name on stocking
*baskets
*maps--example: someone enjoys Alaska--can wrap up gift with map of Alaska
*forget the wrap--do a scavenger hunt instead--just scraps of paper needed
*buy paper that can be used for more than one occasion: red with yellow stars
*buy paper when sales hit such as after Christmas sales
*use what you have--store in trash can in accessible place to use what you paid for

There's more ideas....but for now, that's a wrap!

Message Monday: Fifteen

2011-11-28T08:34:00.000-06:00

Fifteen!

Fifteen years ago....she cried so hard she almost fell of the scale. She looked like the Gerber baby picture on baby food jars, only cuter! She cried at 2 am and fell asleep in her swing....sometimes. She came into my life, a gift from God.

Walking with a screaming baby at the crack of dawn, it was hard to imagine life 15 years later with a wise, truthful young woman coming in to tell me about her new favorite song or recent book she finished reading.

We had many ups and downs. Prayers and tears. Special memories. Like...

Seeing a silver VW slug-bug, she said, "Slug-bug shiny!"

She called the Grinch, "the grunch!"

She along with her sister would say happily as we drove by, "There's Toys For Us!"
(Toys R Us store)

She acted out playing Mary and Joseph at Christmas time always playing Mary and ordering her sister "to be Joseph."
While crawling on the floor, she was holding up one arm off the floor. I asked why and she said, "We are playing the Crippled Lamb, Mom!" (a wonderful book by Max Lucado)

Her favorite animal has never changed: a horse

On her birthday, she enjoyed riding her own horse with new reigns. Does it get much better than that!

Psalm 119:73-74 was picked out for her before she was born:
"You created me, and You keep me safe; give me understanding, so that I may learn Your laws. Those who have reverence for You will be glad when they see me, because I trust in Your promise."

Yesterday, she stood up before our family and shared about the Promise of Christmas and remembering what Christmas is truly all about. Glad? Oh yes, her Daddy and I are very glad.

Thankful to God for keeping her safe and growing her faith. Fifteen years has been a fully amazing ride! As we prepare to hand over the keys of adulthood in just a few short years, and all that comes with the new phase in life, I am thankful for her love for God and love for others. I love this girl so much!

Thought 4 Thursday: Thankful Tree verse for 2011

2011-11-23T22:20:00.000-06:00

We put up a homemade thankful tree. Kori was the tree artist with Connie drawing an owl and JW adding his turkey he made. Kaylynn added one leaf on the ceiling far above the tree.

The Thankful Tree is full of colorful leaves with things we are thankful for and the verse for 2011 which is Psalm 92:1-2,

"How good it is to give thanks to You, O Lord, to sing in Your honor, O Most High God, to proclaim Your constant love every morning and Your faithfulness every night."

From Kansas to China and all around the world, God's love and faithfulness are constant. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-11-23T08:57:00.001-06:00

Q. Why did the turkey cross the road?

A. Because it was the chicken's day off!

Tip Tuesday: Talkin' Turkey

2011-11-22T13:00:00.000-06:00

Make sure your turkey is thawing in the fridge--takes awhile for the birdie to completely thaw for cooking. Put a pan underneath to catch anything that leaks to save on clean-up time.

As you prepare your bird for cooking, don't forget to take out the bag of guts and stuff. Actually, it is quite fascinating. Kids might like to look at the pieces (and then wash very thoroughly afterwards). Usually the neck is also tucked in to be removed as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eleven Cents Worth is so Worth It!

2011-11-21T16:33:00.000-06:00

Psalm 22:9-10
"It was You who brought me safely through birth and when I was a baby, You kept me safe. I have relied on You since the day I was born, and You have always been my God."

We are so happy to be matched with a sweet little guy in China. To adopt him and bring him into our family is what we are going to pursue. The adventure begins!

We have his first name in mind: Joshua meaning "God rescues."
Revisiting an old post, I wrote:

The details are completely in God's hands. He will bring Joshua home to us with joy and rejoicing. And I know from experience that God can do what He wants to do even down to the very last penny.

It was before 9/11 when I had my own tower tumbling to the ground. The fall of 1999 was full of questions and pain as my life was put into boxes. There was a mountain of debt and not a cent to my name. The money tree had been chopped down and burned as firewood. I listed what I owed and the Lord told me that He would take care of me.

He promised Isaiah 40:11--He tends His flock like a Shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young."

By Christmas 1999, most of the debt had been paid off. Some practical steps were taken like selling a computer. Some bills were paid with a card and a gift inside from family and friends who only knew the situation was a difficult time for me.

At last, two cards came. The last bill could be paid. Talk about joy! My brother gave me some money to go to lunch and I was going to celebrate with my friends, a special group from church called Cornerstone, so I went and had a few coins left over in my pocket. I thought how much God had taken care of me--not just with the bills, but in bigger ways as well. He would not leave me and He would not change!

I remembered that the last bill was $400.11. Four hundred dollars had been put aside for this bill already. Yet, I've been a Christian long enough to know that God has all the details in His hands, even what I think are the smallest. I was smiling and jokingly thinking in my head that there was eleven cents left unpaid. I was thankful, but God told me to check my pocket as I pictured God smiling back at me. I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out exactly eleven cents. My bills were paid, down to the very last penny.

I knew that no matter what lay ahead, God had me in His hands. He would provide! In every detail, big or small.

So, as I pray about Joshua, I am going to remember that eleven cents worth and know that Jehovah-Jireh, God provides, will again provide for the way we should go in bringing Joshua home with joy!

We can't wait to bring him home!

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday: Wait No More

2011-11-18T11:39:00.001-06:00

"Like all families, we have yelling, fighting, hurt feelings, messy rooms, and other aspects of a normal family life. But above all, we desire to be a family centered on God, fierce in our commitments to Him and to each other." (page 166, Wait No More)

Unlike many families, this family of six, Dad, Mom, two boys and two girls, all the children were adopted out of foster care. Each child came with a story of abuse and neglect to a couple who were willing to be open and available to whatever God had planned for them.

Taking the promise of God adopting children into His forever family as guide, when the door of their hearts were knocked on by the needs of children wanting a secure, loving family to belong in, they could not ignore it. Opening the door meant many ups and downs. Doubts and uncertainties. Risks and blessings. Through the different challenges like Tourettes Syndrome, crack baby symptoms, attachment disorders, ADD, ADHD and many other issues that crop up in the midst of daily life, God's strength and wisdom shine brighter and greater as this couple choose to rely on Him for all that they need.

The victorious celebration of Adoption Day and molding as a family the way God sees the family photo to be is what makes all the unknowns worth the sacrifices. Kelly and John Rosati share their mountains top views and also their valleys. Real people, really love God, reality is four children loved for who God made them to be no matter what.

The honesty in this book helps the reader understand and perhaps learn from the experiences and emotions the Rosatis' had. Describing faith in action through four separate adoptions is inspiring and also truthful--the good stuff and the hard stuff.

Thank you, Kelly and John, for sharing your story and also a thank you to your children who were willing to share their "family photo" in words! I hope that the Rosatis can do a follow-up book in five years and share what God has continued to do in their lives and in their family. Kelly and John are really sharing God's story with this book putting every adventure into the written language for anyone to read. I hope you will pick up this book for your family and think about and pray what "photo" God has for you and how you can help orphans all around the world, even in your own backyard.

Wait No More by Kelly and John Rosati, Tyndale House, a Focus on the Family resource book

And on a personal note, Jim and I just learned late last night that we are in the wait no more column after three years of intentionally seeking and praying about adopting a boy and a girl. We are matched with a boy who is eight years old and is a really cute little guy. He is our "peace-bug!"

"A verse I have had in my pocket to keep my impatient,yet hopeful thoughts focused where they needed to be: "The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." Psalm 29:11.

God has answered our prayers after waiting three years with a little boy who has been ready for a family to adopt him for three years.

I put this verse in my pocket yesterday after seeing it posted by Tim Tebow before game time: "The peace that Christ gives you is to guide you in the decisions you make; that God has called you together in the body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

We have a long road ahead with no guarantees until the paper is in our hands and our son in our arms, but we are matched, and we are on our way to our China adventure keeping our eyes on Jesus who will give us what we need when we need it.

Thought 4 Thursday from JHT

2011-11-17T09:16:00.000-06:00

I myself, for instance, am not especially gifted, and am shy by nature, but my gracious and merciful God and Father inclined Himself to me, and when I was weak in faith He strengthened me while I was still young. He taught me in my helplessness to rest on Him, and to pray even about little things in which another might have felt able to help himself.

James Hudson Taylor

Psalm 116:1-2
"I love the Lord because He hears me; He listens to my prayers. He listens to me every time I call on Him."

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-11-16T06:44:00.000-06:00

Tip Tuesday--a basket case

2011-11-15T11:35:00.000-06:00

Baskets, baskets, baskets. One upstairs in our main room and one downstairs in a common area. These two baskets save time, energy, and nagging.

If the kids leave something out, all I have to do is drop it into the nearby basket. After awhile, usually when the basket is full, I will empty out the contents and ask each child to claim his or her items and put them in their proper "home." They have before dinner time to claim their wanted treasures knowing that what is left behind will be given to the local charity.

No constant reminders to pick up the toy. No stuff to walk over or trip on. Responsibility given to the right person.

This basket case is closed!

Hope

2011-11-14T14:00:00.000-06:00

"Smooooch!" The chapstick worked well for the principal as he bent down to kiss a way too cute pig at the school carnival. A highlight of the school carnival, there was also good food, lots of kids, and fun games. In the midst of all the candy and treats, one game was thoughtfully giving toothbrushes to the winners. Our little man came home with two new toothbrushes feeling very proud of himself.

As he handed them to me to put away, he said, "Mom, I want you to save this for my brother." He has three older sisters. We have been praying about a brother to adopt. We began the adoption road almost three years ago. There is no doubt why God gave this little man the nickname "Hope-bug."

Not that cross your fingers kind of hope. A wish. A dream. Known certainty is the kind of hope we can have. Lots of things we don't know, but we can focus on what we do know. God is love. God sent His Son, Jesus, to adopt us into His family. God is with us! If we will put our hope in Jesus, we know we will be with Him always. Why? Because of who Jesus Is. We put ourselves in the very Hands of Hope.

Our little man is praying for his brother whom we have nicknamed "Peace-bug." We pray that his prayers, and ours, will strengthen our faith as we have our hope in God, trusting God to work His plans in our lives and in "brother's" life too.

Hope-Bug's verse is Psalm 71:5-6, "Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in You; I have trusted in You since I was young. I have relied on You all my life; You have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise You."

Not too bad for a preemie who came 5 weeks early and his lungs were not ready. God knew this verse a year before our Hope-bug came. His first breath was absolutely in God's hands. He's a big Kindergartner now ready to run and play with his brother.

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday

2011-11-11T15:47:00.001-06:00

Big Sky Country--Montana--in the ol' west is the setting for these stories. I finished Big Sky Dreams Series liking Sabrina, the second book, the most out of the three.

Sabrina or "Bri" as everyone calls her has a history and uses this past to reach out to others around her even though she puts herself at risk. She catches the local minister's eye and their relationship was fun to read as it developed over time. I liked the character Sabrina reminding me more of past Lori Wick characters that kept me up reading to find out what happens to them--just to make sure!

Jesse was a great conclusion to this series. She is a friend to Sabrina and this third book branches off to focus on Jesse and her life answering some questions on how she became sole proprietor of the local mercantile with two young daughters to take care of on her own. Forgiveness and patience themes ring throughout giving the story a very touching and hopeful ending.

There were a lot of characters in this series and this overdose of people does become confusing at times, but overall, I enjoyed the series and learned from the characters truths about God. Fiction with some depth is something worthwhile and relaxing at the same time. Pick up this series at your local library or at a store near you!

Big Sky Dreams Series, Vols 1-3
Lori Wick
Harvest House Publishers

Thought 4 Thursday: Kids and Tebow

2011-11-10T10:10:00.001-06:00

“My passion is kids, more than just kids is underprivileged kids and orphans.”

-Tim Tebow

Wacky Wednesday! Turkey Talk!

2011-11-09T14:19:00.001-06:00

Q. What sound does a space turkey make?

A. Hubble, hubble, hubble!

Tip Tuesday: Coffee Mugs...more than just for coffee

2011-11-08T08:07:00.000-06:00

We have plenty of them. They come in any color imaginable. They can hold tea, coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider... Cozy, Warm, Coffeemugs!

Another use for coffee mugs is placing them in the bathroom as a toothbrush and toothpaste holder. No worries if your toothbrush is too big for the holder. Easy clean up--just put the mug in the dishwasher as you would normally and you are done! Durable in most cases with a handy handle for kids. When picking out a mug, if you are like us, there is a wide variety to choose from.

Each member in our family has their own mug to hold their toothbrush and toothpaste. A great way to teach kids to put away their toothbrush and toothpaste is by giving them a place to put their items back when done. Mugs offer an easy way to reach and return their things.

With all the different colors and styles, having a coffee mug in the bathroom is a fun way to wake up to a new day!

Message Monday: The View

2011-11-07T08:23:00.000-06:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord...

I have lived in Colorado. If my Dad was not alive, I woudent be alive. We moved to Kansas. I made lots of friends. My cosens (cousins) lived in Kansas too. Then we move again to the contry. There were no children there. I was more closer to my skool."

This note was written by my bouncy, delightful daughter. Given a window into her world, this little hand-written note reveals how she sees things. Her humor, her love for others, and her sense of adventure come through this short paragraph of observations.

God has given us a window to His point of view. This written window has 66 books and over 31,000 verses. The Word of God, the Bible, is alive because the Author who inspired men to write down His words is alive. He desires a relationship with you and me and wants us to know Him. He's given us the Bible to see things from His point of view, and in the end, His point of view IS THE point of view.

Many people have died over this one Book. Others would do anything to have a copy in their own language. The Bible has been banned, burned, buried, and left on shelves gathering dust bunnies instead of believers. This Book is still the world's #1 best seller.

"I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to Me. You will come and pray to Me, and I will answer you. You will seek Me and you will find Me because you will seek Me with all your heart. Yes, I say, you will find Me and I will restore you..." Jeremiah 29:11-14a

On this Monday, when your world starts to crowd in and begins shouting at you, open up the Bible. Soak in God's view point and His love for you. He can be found and when your heart is in His hands, your life will never be the same! As in the words of my youngest, my little man, "Trust me. I know."

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday: Cassidy, Big Sky Dreams Series #1

2011-11-04T13:56:00.001-05:00

Really enjoyed this book and the character Cassidy. She has many family issues that with God, she has been able to start new. Making friends in a new place, having her own business, and being an active member of the little local church, she has become a special part of a small town in a relatively short time. Romance, adventure (her brother is a famous outlaw), and faith intersect in this wonderful book. I have always been thankful to read and grow spiritually from Lori Wick's books. As her characters learn more about God and His plans for their lives, I learn along side and can also grow closer to God and learn more of what He has planned for my life. I have enjoyed many of her books, others too good to put down. This one I could put down, but I returned quickly, and I do look forward to reading the rest of the series. This is one to share to share with a friend when done reading it for yourself.

Cassidy, Big Sky Dreams Series #1 by Lori Wick can be found at christianbook.com for only $4.99, the series of three for $11.99 or check your local Christian bookstore. Or even better, check your local library or church library. Not really one I would want to own, but a fun, light read.

Thought 4 Thursday from Joni

2011-11-03T09:05:00.000-05:00

“There is nothing that moves a loving father's soul quite like his child's cry.”
― Joni Eareckson Tada

Wacky Wednesday! from Tim Hawkins...

2011-11-02T12:46:00.000-05:00

Tim Hawkins:
My wife and I stayed in bed all day yesterday, reading, playing games, snuggling. Then the mattress store manager said we had to leave.

Tip Tuesday

2011-11-01T08:26:00.000-05:00

Tip for supper:
Spaghetti meat was cooked up with extra meat for our Wednesday night meal of taco meat. All I will have to do is warm up the meat and add the seasonings and taco meat is ready for supper.

I will appreciate the meat ready to go on Wednesday night!

Message Monday: October 31st

2011-10-31T09:25:00.000-05:00

In the beginning...

God created the heavens and the earth...then God commanded, "Let there be light," and the light appeared. God was pleased with what He saw... (Genesis 1:1,3,4)

In the beginning...

was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God...Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again, "I am the Light of the world," He said, "Whoever follows Me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness." (John 1:1, 8:12)

May the Light--that is Jesus Christ--shine today in all that I do and say. May my walk match my talk as I step with the Light of life no matter how dark things may seem. May God, creator of all, be pleased with what He sees in me today.

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday: In the Presence of My Enemies

2011-10-28T08:27:00.000-05:00

A powerful story that seems unbelievable, but really did happen. Reading this story again with another daughter helps me remember to keep the right perspective on my own life and how much I have to be thankful for. I am reminded again to not take things for granted. The story of survival in the worst circumstances opens the eyes of my young daughter as she sees a tried and tested faith that holds strong in Jesus. You can read the first chapter by going to Gracia's website: http://www.graciaburnham.org

Summary of the book from the website:
Can faith, hope, and love survive a year of terror?

For American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, what started out as a relaxing, once-in-a-lifetime anniversary getaway at an exotic island resort turned into one of the most horrific nightmares imaginable.

Kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group with ties to Osama bin Laden, the Burnhams were snatched away from friends and family and thrust into a life on the run in the Philippine jungle. During a perilous year in captivity, they faced near starvation, constant exhaustion, frequent gun battles, coldhearted murder—and intense soul-searching about a God who sometimes seemed to have forgotten them.

In this gripping firsthand account of faith, love, and struggle in the face of unnervingly casual brutality, you’ll go behind the scenes of a real-life drama, told in gritty detail by the least likely survivor. You’ll learn about the methods and motives of a radical terrorist group whose members are determined to meet their objectives, no matter what the cost. You’ll be inspired by the ultimately triumphant faith and enduring love of an ordinary couple thrown into extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Whatever the struggles of your life, you’ll find encouragement and hope in this refreshingly honest story of a yearlong struggle with the darkness that inhabits the human heart.

How would you react if you were suddenly snatched away from the life you knew and the people you loved?

Imagine the terror of being roused out of bed one morning at gunpoint. Of being kidnapped and held captive for more than a year, living on the run without warm clothes, enough food, or adequate shelter. Of being chained to a tree each night, sleeping on the ground despite painful body sores and debilitating intestinal viruses. Of never knowing if you’d have food to eat or water to drink, if you’d be shot at yet again by your would-be rescuers, or if your captors would make good on their threat to behead you--as they had several of your fellow hostages.

Martin and Gracia Burnham lived this nightmare as captives of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, having been kidnapped while celebrating their wedding anniversary at a resort in the Philippines. During a yearlong ordeal as hostages on the run in the jungle, the missionary pilot and his wife struggled to live the faith they had come to the Philippines to proclaim. In the process, they discovered the true condition of their own hearts--and of the heart of God.

"The issue...is not why an all-powerful God might choose to subject a man to evil, but how a man, with God’s help, responds to evil...The Burnhams, under torturous conditions, befriended their guards, comforted their fellow hostages and kept their faith in a God who seemed to have abandoned them." USA TODAY

Thought 4 Thursday: life's preparation

2011-10-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

At some point in life’s journey, professionally and personally, we have to be able to trust our preparation.

-Tony Dungy

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-10-26T08:27:00.001-05:00

Tip Tuesday: Lasagna Lessons

2011-10-25T09:01:00.001-05:00

Realizing I had too much taco meat leftover, I used the meat in my lasagna that we had for supper last night.

I liked this because it made the prep for the lasagna very easy and fast, used food that we would not be able to finish up, and the lasagna tasted great!

Another way making the time spent on the lasagna extremely efficient was doubling the recipe and making two. I froze one to reheat later when the hubby is out of town. Quick and easy meal to pull out while going solo during the power hour.

Happy bellies, happy family, happy mama.

Message Monday: Endearing Endurance Monday

2011-10-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

"Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people, then you won't become weary and give up." -Hebrews 12:3

Movies to return to the store, car insurance to deal with and pay in person since it the on-line will not work this time, groceries to buy, supper to fix, picture day tomorrow....MONDAY!

Everyone seems to have a full to overflowing plate on Mondays. Too much to do in too little time and plenty of problems to go with it! Mondays are hard days for most of us.

That is why I really liked reading Hebrews 12:1-3 this morning and especially the third verse encouraging me not to give up before the day has even started. When I try to imagine all the hostility Jesus endured, my mind can't seem to grasp all the hate and injustice Jesus suffered. Unimaginable! But true!

He knows how I feel. He has endured trials and pain. He won over trials and pain! He will help me with all that comes today, Monday. And I can endure with sure hope because He is with me. I don't like Monday because it is hard, but I do like Monday because it is not easy. I am facing my need for Jesus today.

"Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for Him, He thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and He is now seated on the right side of God's throne." (Heb. 12:2)

Friday--Food for Thought: When Love Blooms by Robin Lee Hatcher

2011-10-21T09:07:00.000-05:00

This book kept me up reading late into the night...such a wonderful thing! The main character is a strong and caring woman who goes to a ranch to be a teacher/nanny to two young girls. The mother of the girls is dying of cancer. Lots of twists and turns of the heart, I knew how I felt this book should end and so had to stay up very late to make sure. Fun, liked the challenges faced in the book, and a great ending.

More info from Robin Lee Hatcher's book page:

Winner, 2010 Inspirational Readers Choice Award
Finalist, 2010 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence

She could say what she wanted. Emily Harris didn't belong in the hard life of the Blakes. She would wilt there like a rose without water. He'd be sending her back to Boise before the first snows. He'd be willing to bet on it.

From the moment Gavin Blake set eyes on Emily Harris, he knew she would never make it in the rugged high country where backbreaking work and constant hardship were commonplace. Beautiful and refined, she was accustomed to the best life had to offer. Heaven only knew why she wanted to leave Boise to teach two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere. He'd wager it had to do with a man. It always did when a beautiful woman was involved.

Emily wanted to make some sort of mark on the world before marriage. She wanted to be more than just a society wife. Though she had plenty of opportunities back East, she had come to the Idaho high country looking to make a difference. Gavin’s resistance to her presence made her even more determined to prove herself. Perhaps changing the heart of just one man may make the greatest difference of all.

Go to robinleehatcher.com for more information!

Thought 4 Thursday

2011-10-20T08:36:00.001-05:00

The hardest tears to bear are those of your children.

Wacky Wednesday! Teacher: Where is your pencil...

2011-10-19T09:25:00.000-05:00

Teacher: Where is your pencil, Ludlow?

Ludlow: I ain't got none!

Teacher: Ludlow! Where is your grammer?

Ludlow: She's at her house in Cleveland and she ain't got my pencil neither!

*from 101 Back to School Jokes by Lisa Eisenberg and Katy Hall
Published by Scholastic

Tip Tuesday:Bandanas...now that's using your head!

2011-10-18T08:20:00.000-05:00

Google 'bandana' and you will find all sorts of ideas on what to do with this inexpensive piece of fabric found in any color combination imaginable.

From hair to dishes (a towel to dry them) to outdoor survival, bandanas come in handy. Someone even listed the bandana could be used in place of tissue paper!

The cutest owl bandanas are found at Hobby Lobby (part of the fall decor, but can be used all year). I snatched some on sale and plan to use them for napkins for our family. They are darker in color to hide goobers and wash well. Easy to use, saves on paper, and lots of fun for all!

A fun idea if you have a cowboy/girl birthday is to use bandanas for napkins or gift bags.

Now that is using your head!

Running the race--half way there!

2011-10-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

As the cooler weather settles in today and more and more Christmas decorations arrive in the stores, I realize how fast the seasons go by.

Snuggling a little baby, maybe 5 months old, she held my finger as she drifted to sleep yesterday at the church nursery. The moms coming in with a crying infant look younger and younger, or do I look older?

A very cute, big eyed little girl sat in front of us at church. She would turn around and wave and in her tiny high-pitched voice, she'd say, "Hi!" I was transported back in time and saw Kaylynny--same hair cut, big eyes, and so cute! Now, fifteen years later, her little voice has changed as I look UP into the eyes of a beautiful young woman.

Enjoying some wonderful Italian food with hubby, we tell the waiter we have four kids. Instead of the often shock and "I can't believe you have four kids!" I was thinking the waiter looked way to young to have a kid when he shared he had one child.

I am not a young mom anymore with babies and toddlers climbing my leg. The baby went to Kindergarten and we see college on the near horizon for the oldest. We see our selves with the possibility of being grandparents in ten years! Clothes do not feel the same, I can't ride rides all day long with no side effects, I am starting to hate small print, and I have to be careful what I eat and drink now.

I NEED A NAP!

Time keeps flying by and my kids remind me that life is a vapor. The Bible says we are like grass, here in the morning and by night, gone. Someone said life is a short dash between two dates. I pray that I can persevere through the ups and downs of each day and cherish the time given, not taking the daillyness of the day for granted.

After the "hall of faith" chapter, Hebrews 12:1 says, "As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in our way, and of the wrong stuff that holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us."

One of my favorite bedtime reads with tweens/teens!

2011-10-14T15:39:00.001-05:00

No matter if the day has been a downhill slide or an uphill climb, reading with my tween or my teen has been a special gift. We can lay our differences aside or agree together as we settle down before calling it day.

We read about Rachel Saint, the sister to slain Nate Saint, who spent the rest of her life serving the natives (same people who killed her brother) sharing God's love and showing His salvation.

Another story was about William Booth who said, "A heart to God and a hand to man," when he began the Salvation Army and many other resources to aid the poor and orphans of society when there was nothing available except awful and dangerous conditions in the poor houses.

From the USA to China, Lottie Moon went left her heart with the people she became a part of. Eating Chinese food, dressing like the locals did, and saving the lives of many children, she gave everything to share the "good news" of Jesus Christ.

We have journeyed on many adventures together going all over the world and traveling in time to learn about amazing people like Corrie ten Boom, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, Lillian Trasher, Nate Saint, and Eric Liddell, and many more. Time together reading has created wonderful memories and rooted valuable lessons we've learned together. The chapters are not too long, so one chapter a night worked well for us.

Easy to find at christianbook.com, amazon, your local bookstore, etc.

Christian Heroes Then and Now by Janet and Geoff Benge are life-changing books!

Thought 4 Thursday: borrowed from my daughter

2011-10-13T09:52:00.000-05:00

‎"... There are no 'ifs' in God's world. And no places that are safer than other places.The center of His will is our only safety..."

From the Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-10-12T13:31:00.000-05:00

Youth looks ahead.
Old age looks back.
Middle age looks worried.

-from Ginger Snaps
Fun Thoughts on Life

Tip Tuesday: double the bedspread for your money!

2011-10-11T21:15:00.000-05:00

Every fall, I put a warm comforter on the bed that is nice and cozy. I like to switch out the bedding in the spring with a quilt that is more light-weight and spring/summerish in color.

For several years, this has been a fun and economical way to switch out the bedroom without spending any money. After six months, I start to become bored and ready for a seasonal change. For me, October and either March or April are the months that work well.

Everything gets washed and then stored away until the next refresher. I just wish furniture was as easy to move around!

Message Monday: It's a Mouse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-10-10T08:46:00.001-05:00

"Yiiiiiiiiiiiikes! Put that down!" I screamed with a look of horror, and I have to admit, at the same time, loving the male temperament. On this first FULL day of Kindergarten, as we were loading up in the van to go to school, little man says, "Look what Tiger caught, Mom!" A small dead mouse was raised up above his head as he proudly shared in his cat's victory over evil.

After washing his hands extremely well, and explaining he needed to leave all mice to the cats' discretion, I had to walk away with a smile. Nothing like a dead mouse to make this mile stone morning momentous. The girls would never even think to touch the mouse with their BARE hands, let alone go near the thing.

As he walks down the road of school life, with words echoing in his head from his older and wiser sister, "Welcome to the rest of your life, James," the brave young knight is ready to face the unknown with a victorious smile on his face.

His mom is thanking God for a unique, funny memory marking this very first day of all-day school for all the kids. God knew I needed the laugh as some tears will fall knowing that the preschool days are officially in the rear view mirror.

Lord, You examined me and You know me. You know everything I do; from far away You understand all my thoughts." Psalm 139:1-2

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday: Rebel With a Cause

2011-10-07T09:24:00.000-05:00

Rebel With a Cause by Franklin Graham

What is it like to grow up Graham? Long before boxes went all over the world, and doctors volunteered in third world countries through World Medical Mission, Franklin Graham was not sure what he wanted in life. Son of Billy and Ruth Graham, he rebelled against the giant footsteps placed before him.

He shares stories about growing up with his brother and sisters, how he missed his dad even though he understood why his dad was on the road, and the struggles he had with God.

Travel with Franklin back in time and all around the world.

With Operation Christmas Child nearing, numerous shoe boxes filled with toys, crayons, soap, toothbrushes, hats, flash lights, and many other gifts will be handed out to girls and boys all over the world. Reading this book will give you the background of the heart of the man who started this and many other outreaches. Enjoy reading this book, and you, like Paul Harvey can say, "and that's the rest of the story."

Rebel With a Cause
Finally comfortable being Graham, an autobiography by Franklin Graham
Published by Thomas Nelson

Check Amazon, Christianbook.com, your local bookstore, etc. for this must-have book.

Thought 4 Thursday: Courageous--go see the movie!

2011-10-06T09:11:00.000-05:00

4 Men...fighting crime on the streets protecting, helping, and leading. Police officers who have done a good job on the job. When a tragic accident occurs, they are each faced with the battle at home and realize that "a good enough job" is not the legacy they want to give to their families.

Lots of action as the story unfolds and hub and I are not the same afterwards. Challenged to not take life for granted, to make the most of the years we have with each other and our kids, we came away with renewed spirits to keep fighting the good fight because as for our house, we serve the Lord. God will give us all we need to be courageous and pass on the torch of His love to the next generation.

Go see this movie! It is worth every dime. See it again. Let the message sink in and soak our nation and reach our world.

"As for my family and me, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15b

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-10-05T11:31:00.001-05:00

Happy 9th anniversary to my man! May God continue to guide us and keep us close to Him and to each other.

Tip Tuesday--making a thankful tree

2011-10-04T11:14:00.001-05:00

As the leaves fall off the trees outside, you can be adding leaves to a homemade tree inside! Each year, we make a paper tree and hang it up. Then throughout October and November, we add leaves to the tree. Written on each leaf is something to be thankful for.

For the tree: draw one freehand, use a stencil, use a fake tree... One year we traced each family member's arm and hand for a tree branch. It was a unique tree!

For the leaves: make your own, use pre-cut leaves from paper, cardboard, stickers, foam, etc. Labels, markers, pens can be used on the leaf to write with/on. Kids can paint the leaves for added creativity.

The idea: At suppertime, or whenever you want, each person at your table (guests included), may write something they are thankful to God for on their leaf. Then they can tape the leaf wherever they want on the tree. You can add the person's name with the date or just have the thankful message only. As the time flies by, the tree fills up with wonderful notes of thanks written on creative, colorful leaves!

Helpful Hint: We found butcher paper or even the back of a roll of wrapping paper (the white side) work well to draw your tree on and then add leaves. Tape leaves sticky stuff behind, so the paper is easy to clean up when you are all done.

Helpful Hint: Kids like to help draw and color the tree and/or leaves. Makes the tree original and gets them excited about the new "game."

Helpful Hint: A Bible verse about being thankful is a nice addition to your tree. Like Psalm 105:1--"Give thanks to the Lord, proclaim His greatness, tell the nations what He has done."

Happy Fall!

Message Monday: Nine Years full and fast!

2011-10-03T09:19:00.000-05:00

This week hubby and I will celebrate nine years together. On a lovely fall Colorado day, the golden Aspens cheered as he and I said "I do." Our lives joined together and our family was born.

Nine years have been full and FAST! Many hugs, kisses, tears, diapers, dinners, kickball games, bedtime stories, puppet shows, trips, birthdays, bad dreams, snacks, and so much more filled our days that have rolled into years.

We had ankle biters and now we have teenagers. We had hair and now less hair...or gray hairs? We could move things and not be wondering why we are so sore the next day. We were deep into chicken nuggets and playlands and now we are hoping to find something left for us to eat in the fridge. We knew what each other liked, but now we know more about what each other loves.

In nine more years, our "baby" will be 15 years old and two will be out of the house and on their own. Maybe even married. I could be a Grandma--yikes! Cool! The past nine years have been full of life--ups and downs. School activities, Beau Jo's mountain pie pizzas, baptisms, preemie birth, a flooded basement, ice cream at Braum's, a broken arm, toe surgery, dyslexia, dream-come-true horses, new baby, Mom to Mom, 'Arburrito' walks, painting the house, part of a church plant, Hide n Seek on Wednesday nights, movie nights, bucked off the horse, pets, family and friends. Abundant life! Can't wait for the next 9 with my man!

God,
be merciful to us and bless us; look on us with kindness, so that the whole world may know Your will; so that all nations may know Your salvation. In Jesus' Name, Amen
(Psalm 67:1-2, our verse we picked for us when we traded rings and started our lives together)

Two peas in God is what he and I like to say.
Marriage is not always easy, but definitely worthwhile and good.

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday: Joni

2011-09-30T07:43:00.000-05:00

The year is 1967 and a teenage girl is about to take a dive that will forever change her life. Joni Eareckson had plans for college and was a very active athlete playing tennis and riding horses. On a hot July day, she swam out to a raft and took a dive off into the cool waters not realizing how shallow the area was.

She broke her neck and instantly became part of a world with wheelchairs, doctors, nurses, and lots of the sterile color of white that she became to hate. Why would God let this happen to her? Was He even there? Did He care? What reason was there for her life now that she lay in a hospital bed not being able to move below her neck?

Having quadriplegia, not able to move her legs or her arms, Joni did have some ability to move muscles in her shoulders. She learned to draw using her mouth. She learned to drive! She saw what a great support system she had in her life and realized that not everyone was as blessed as she was. This would be begin a world-wide ministry called Joni and Friends helping those with disabilities, and teaching the world how God can use anything and everything in our lives to show His great love and power to everyone.

The book that told her story, Joni, is heartfelt and honest. She has written many more wonderful books since then, but this is the book that started it all. If you would like to watch the movie instead, the dvd is available, too.

Joni is a hero of the faith to me!

Check out: Joni - An Unforgettable Story
by: Joni Eareckson Tada at joniandfriends.org

Thought 4 Thursday--the Only You!

2011-09-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

“You are the only you God made... God made you and broke the mold. ”
― Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-09-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

Kori circa age 6: "Can we go swim at the ho-and-tell?" (hotel + show and tell)

Tip Tuesday

2011-09-27T12:59:00.000-05:00

In the car--nearby the lost chicken nugget--is low-lying plastic buckets that hold toys, etc. right under the seat. No lid needed, they slide out easily and push back quickly. For a quick pick-up in the car or to stash a few toys away to have handy, this inexpensive, out-of-the-way idea has been very helpful for our busy family.

Message Monday: False Charges, Hidden fees, and Tricky Gimmicks no more!

2011-09-27T12:40:00.000-05:00

Frustrating, upsetting, and unnerving. I looked at a bill I paid for and realized that a charge was inserted that should not have been there. It was a service not requested, yet billed for anyway. When I called about the charges, I was told that is the standard procedure and is the practice done for all such circumstances. This cost me double the amount of my bill! Not much more I can do for this bill, but I did politely cancel my next appointment and have decided to take my business elsewhere.

Hidden charges! Read the fine print. Check your receipt to make sure the sale price rang up as promised. An error here or there is bound to happen with so many prices changes and products to manage, but I have noticed the "if it rings up wrong, we will refund you" is no longer offered because they can't afford to refund so much money!

How thankful I am when I think about the gospel. It is Good News! No fine print, no hidden fees required, no tricky gimmicks to be nervous about. The bill has already been paid and all I have to do is admit I can't pay this bill, believe Jesus can and He did for me, and confess that I need Him as Lord of my life.

So simple, yet so life-changing! Believing the Good News is just the beginning of an adventure that just gets better and better!

For God so loved the world (you and me) that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus) that whoever (you and me) believes in Him, shall not die, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world (you and me), but that the world (you and me) through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

The next time I check my receipt and realize my ice cream did not ring up at the sale price even though the prices were posted all over the store, I will be patient and I will be polite when I ask for my refund, because I know deep down, eternity with God is guaranteed and I will not be disappointed.

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday: Flitty, Twitty, and Itty Bitty

2011-09-23T12:40:00.000-05:00

Little Itty Bitty, a baby bird, fell out of the tree. He is scared and alone and wanting his bird family! Who cares about one small little bird anyways? God does and if He cares about each and every little bird, how much more does He care about us!

Wonderful pictures, cute characters, and a timeless message, JW and I really enjoyed hearing Mary Ellen Tippen read aloud her storybook, Flitty, Twitty, and Itty Bitty. You can learn more about her and order this book by going to her website:

http://maryellentippin.com/Mary_Ellen_Tippin/Home.html

Can't wait to see the next one, The Christmas Birdie! My six-year old son and I are sold on her stories.

Thought 4 Thursday: 20/20 vision

2011-09-22T09:14:00.000-05:00

20/20 Vision--

John 20:20-

"After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy."

Common English Bible (CEB)

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-09-21T16:42:00.001-05:00

Q. What do you get if you cross a cow with a porcupine?

A. Steak with toothpicks!

Tip Tuesday--Beach Towels in the Bathroom?

2011-09-20T09:35:00.000-05:00

Beach Towels in the Bathroom-

For an easy way to keep towels dry, in a humid climate especially, beach towels may be the solution you are looking for. Often cheaper than big bathroom towels, think about summer clearance prices, beach towels come in any color and design. They are durable and kid-friendly. Drying much faster than regular towels, the problem with a musty smell is non-existent.

So next time you see a sale on Toy Story or Barbie beach towels, you might consider purchasing two for each child. When one is in the washer, one is on the hook. Easy, economical, and fun!

Message Monday: Grandma turns 90!

2011-09-19T10:59:00.000-05:00

Cheese dip, tortilla chips, movies, shopping, eating out for lunch, Grandma's roast for dinner, birthday cake, Armadillo Mexican restaurant, note on the fridge, going to Elitches....these memories come to mind when I remember celebrating many birthdays with Grandma. She made me feel like a princess, her little queen. She even bought me a small silver crown to wear, even though a crown was not necessary for me to know how Grandma felt about me.

Married Grandpa in 1941, they were one month short of their 60th anniversary when Grandpa passed away after suffering several strokes from a weakened heart. Grandma had captured his heart and they had three sons. I was her first grandchild and to Grandma's delight, I was a girl!

How thankful I am that our family was able to drive a long road trip to see her and celebrate a 90th birthday lunch with her. She would try to stop any big fuss for her, but after she knew I was coming, she called several times to see what would feed our crew. Her smile was so beautiful as we sang 'happy birthday' to her with all the youthful voices singing full throttle.

She is a queen in my heart! More beautiful each year to me. Happy 90th Grandma, I love you!

Psalm 90:14--
"Fill us each morning with your constant love, so that we may sing and be glad all our life."

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday

2011-09-15T00:27:00.001-05:00

Due to vacation time, I am including a Christianbook.com post of one of my all-time favorite books:

Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke

She ventured West with the man she loved, but in one day her world crumbled around her...First around in 1979, Love Come Softly has become a beloved classic with over one million copies sold. A generation of readers has laughed and wept and rejoiced with Marty and Clark Davis whose tragic circumstances threw them together on the frontier prairies of the 1800s.

Thought 4 Thursday

2011-09-15T00:26:00.001-05:00

I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress.
--Ronald Reagan

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-09-14T09:58:00.000-05:00

What did Noah's dog say?

Ark! Ark! Ark!

Happy Gator!

Tip Tuesday

2011-09-13T12:47:00.000-05:00

It's a little too early to be thinking snow, but I just read an awesome tip for cold weather.

For multiple wet gloves, a great way to put them where they can dry out is on a shoe rack. One of the metal ones with the holders for shoes. I am going to keep my eye open for one. I see them all the time at thrift stores. For my family of 6, I think this will be a great way to dry out gloves fast and as mess-free as possible.

Message Monday: Sunflowers!

2011-09-12T16:02:00.000-05:00

When you think of sunflowers what words come to mind? Dry. Hot. Dusty. Brown. Maybe a brown center like they are often colored, but dry, hot and dusty are not words I think of immediately when I think of sunflowers. Yet, after breaking a heatwave record (1936) of 50 plus days over 100 degrees, the land is dry, hot, dusty, and brown, BUT along the side of the road are patches of beautiful golden sunflowers!

Their bright, cheery heads smile at the dirt below. Yellow sunshiny color beams over the dead, brown grasses. Where I live, miles of dusty fields blowing in the wind are now suddenly perked up with sprinkles of wild sunflowers towering over the earth.

How can they grow when everything else is dead?

Our lives can look like the dirty, blowing fields. The daily routine can feel barren. Wide landscapes may appear dead. Yet, as we keep our heads looking to the Son, He can make our lives something beautiful. And as fellow sunflowers turn to Him together, a small patch grows changing the landscape of earth forever.

"To all who mourn...He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory." Isaiah 61:3

Food for Thought--Book Review Friday

2011-09-09T12:31:00.000-05:00

Do you remember who was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1984?

Who was ABA's MVP in 1974 and 1976 plus NBA MVP in 1981?

Known as the "Admiral' he would later become part of the "Twin Towers." Who is he?

If you were thinking Mark Eaton, Dr. J, and David Robinson, you know some pro basketball history!

Just finishing "Slam Dunk" by Dave Brandon, I enjoyed walking down memory lane with some familiar names while learning more about the guys off the court of basketball. Guys like AC Green, Hersey Hawkins, KJ, Buck Williams, the three mentioned above, plus several more.

A special tribute with a portion of a letter written by "Pistol" Pete Maravich was very moving to read and a challenge as he shared how money and the ability to do whatever he wanted did not lead to happiness as he thought. At the bottom, he remembered back to a camp he went to when he was 18 and how Bill Bright shared Jesus is the answer to your life. He would travel all over sharing the difference Jesus made in his life until his unexpected death at 40 years old.

The book is copy written in 1994. David Robinson had not met up with Tim Duncan to form the "Twin Towers," so while somewhat dated, it was fascinating to read and remember an era of basketball with superstars showing new moves no one has ever seen before on the basketball court. Each short bio goes back to earlier days learning about what family these guys grew up in and how they began basketball (many later in teen years!). Most importantly, when they step off the court of ball and in the lasting court of life, they have trusted Jesus Christ and given their lives to Him. The buzzer may go off and winners and losers leave the floor with statistics written down that may be forgotten, yet these names are written down in a forever roster--The Lamb's book of Life.

If you enjoy basketball and like to remember those before Kobe and LeBron, look for this book on Amazon or at thrift store near you.

"Slam Dunk" by Dave Branon
Forward by Pat Williams
1994, Moody Press

Thought 4 Thursday

2011-09-08T08:47:00.000-05:00

"There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still."

-Betsy ten Boom, died in Nazi concentration camp for helping Jewish people in World War II and the sister of Corrie ten Boom who survived the concentration camp due to an "error" two weeks before all the women her age were sent to the gas chambers. Corrie would travel the world sharing how God's love is deeper than anything. You can read about her life in the book, The Hiding Place, or watch the movie with the same name.

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-09-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

In the car, a six-year old KK was looking out the window. She spotted one of her favorite places to go to and said, "Look! There's Toys FOR Us!"

And that's they way its been ever since.

Tip Tuesday

2011-09-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

Two storage ideas for all those hats, gloves, etc:

Idea #1--little to no space situation:

Buy or make your own bookshelf. I bought a black bookshelf with three shelves from Wal-Mart for $20. Then I used two baskets for each shelf (6 total) for each family member. This worked well to hold hats, gloves, etc. Very little space was needed for this idea and the bookshelf dressed up the idea since we did not have a "mudroom" or even a big entrance way at the time. The family could grab a hat out of their basket and step out the door easily.

Idea #2--Mudroom or entrance space with some room to store stuff

A large white pantry-like shelf (was used to store food items previously) was converted into a storage unit for hats, gloves, etc. On the outside of the storage unit, I nailed two shoe holders on each side to hold gloves--ideally one pair per slot. One side is for the boys, the other side is for the girls. Inside the storage unit were several shelves and I put baskets on those, one for each family member. All the clutter is closed behind the doors, yet easily accessible for coming and going. The smaller kids' basket is on the lower shelf making it very easy to reach. An extra laundry basket sits on top of the unit out of the way, but easy to grab if I need it.

Note: I switch out the seasons to save some room in the baskets. While ball caps, visors, sunglasses are stored, winter hats are in the baskets. When the season changes, I switch out the items. The gloves have stayed since they are out of the way.

Any storage ideas for hats, gloves, etc. that has worked well for you?

Friday--Food for Thought

2011-09-02T11:19:00.000-05:00

Book Review:

As the third book of the series 'Great Lives from God's Word,' I just finished reading Charles (Chuck) Swindoll's book Joseph--a Man of Integrity and Forgiveness.

The book covers all of Joseph's life from a young boy with dreams, to a slave sold by his brothers, to estate manager of a powerful soldier in a foreign land, to a prisoner falsely accused, to 2nd in command of all Egypt. From rainbow coats to royal coats and even no coat, Chuck Swindoll describes what Joseph faced in his life and how he stayed the course God had given him. Joseph is an amazing person and experienced many highs and lows in his life. His perseverance and love for God stayed the course and I was greatly encouraged by reading this book.

Life is hard and sometimes even when we try to do what is good, we still find ourselves knocked down and left wondering why. Reading about Joseph he knew that what his brothers had meant for bad, God used for good. There was a purpose and a plan that God had all along and Joseph trusted God no matter the circumstances! God is trustworthy!

Hard to put down, inspiring story-telling, and a warmth throughout, I plan to read more 'great lives from God's Word.'

Word Publishing

2011-09-01T09:08:00.000-05:00

Thoughtful Thursdays...Quit struggling, just start snuggling. OR Don't wrestle, just nestle."--Corrie ten Boom

Wacky Wednesday!

2011-08-31T17:22:00.000-05:00

Where did Adam and Eve live?

Connie (about 3 years old at the time):

"In the zoo!"

Tip Tuesday

2011-08-30T12:33:00.000-05:00

Eliminate and Concentrate!

With the baby in the family not so much a baby anymore, I've had to go through the baby items and eliminate and concentrate.

This is easier said than done since I have a lot of memories of four little whipper snappers playing with the toys. I decided I would allow myself to keep some "favorites" as long as I could fit the toys in a plastic storage tub. This has allowed me to hang on to a few favorite things, plus when we have a little one over to our house, all I have to do is pull out my yellow tub and instant babyland.

Everyone knows how baby items can try to take over a house. Narrowing the list down to several favorites and storing them together in one plastic tub has been a wonderful solution for me as my kids have outgrown their baby things.

Message Monday: Praise Monday!

2011-08-29T08:58:00.000-05:00

Praise Monday! Doesn't that seem like an oxymoron? Too many Mondays are filled with things that make praise the last thing on my mind, and yet...
Praise isn't about things going my way.
Praise isn't about what people should do for me.
Praise isn't about pretending.

Much of the time, praise is a sacrifice. Today I can sacrifice my weariness from not sleeping well, my wanting my "right" to be cranky today, and my desire to curl up in a ball and let the world fend for itself. Putting these things down and picking up praise instead is a choice I can make today. Not easy, that's why it is called a sacrifice of praise!

"I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart: I will tell of all the wonderful things You have done. I will sing with joy because of You. I will sing praise to You, Almighty God." Psalm 9:1-2