The reason for the season?????????????

Good morning family and friends. My post will be a bit different today. Hopefully thought provoking.
Since this is the "Christmas season" are we celebrating what we say we are, and should we? Last Friday, Black Friday, I was reading a very sad news story. It appears that some 2000 shoppers stormed a Wal-Mart in the state of New York and trampled to death, yes to death a Wal-Mart employee and another employee, who happened to be 8 months pregnant was injured. For what? CHRISTmas presents????? Which brings me to my second question. What does alcohol have to do with the Savior's birth? It seems as though this time of the year people attend parties with the alcohol flowing, some work related some not; and "liquor" seems to be a great gift. I even saw a commercial advertising a six pack of beer, okay an expensive six pack, but beer none the less as a what? A CHRISTmas gift. If that is not enough here is my third and final question. What in the world does SANTA CLAUS have to do with the birth of Jesus? Switch the letters around and it spells Satan!  Why do people tell their children this "story" (lie) that he gets in a sleigh and delivers presents all over the world?   Again I say what does that have to do with the birth of JESUS?????!!!!!!!!! A fat red nosed, wonder where he got the red nose; (maybe he got one of those expensive six packs for his CHRISTmas gift), old man with children sitting on his lap? How do we know he is not a predator of some sort.   I know this may offend or even upset some but you must ask yourself why? And please don't try to tell me the story of St. Nick, the two are not even close, I am German. I was raised in a German home. We observed ALL the German traditions.
Did you know the Bible does not even state Christ was born on December 25th? Many people do not even know that. It does not tell the day. It only tells us that Mary and Joseph were on their way to pay taxes, something that occurred AFTER the harvest. Harvest was generally done in September. Many believe Christ was actually born some time in October. Also the shepherds would NOT have been laying out under the stars in December. It is cold there also in December. Finally, the wise men did not deliver gifts to the Christ baby but rather the Christ CHILD. He was probably 3-4 years old by the time they caught up with the family.........
Just some food for thought friends and remember if you are going to celebrate CHRISTmas, make sure to remember the CHRIST in your celebration.
God Bless!

There is Power, Power....... in the BLOOD!

As Little Man and I sit here having breakfast this morning, well as he has his breakfast we are listening to the Alexandria church choir singing about the blood-compliments of my friend ajourneytowards.blogspot.com. My baby is "blowing" his eggs, he just saw me do it to cool them off, soooooooo cute. And of course he doesn't forget to raise his little hand to worship as he eats. Thank-you Jesus!! It doesn't get any better than this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I was giving him his egg this morning I looked down and saw the most trusting, unconditional loving eyes staring back at me.....it brings tears. I realize even more the tremendous responsibility I have here. Not only to "train" my children up but to show them the way, be their examples. To be an adequate example I must be like Christ. I am not even close. So what do I do?
I pray. I fast. I stay in God's word. I expose my children to positive influences; church, people, media. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

This year for Thanksgiving we get a special treat. Our friends Janet and her daughter Myla will be having dinner with us. YEAH!!!!!!!!!! We are all so excited, especially Big Sister. You see Janet is VERY ticklish and Big Sister LOVES to tickle her. It will be a special day. So for now I am off to navigate the rain and pick-up a few additional things. Big Daddy has a work get together and I am going to send a maple frosted pumpkin cake (recipe compliments of www.ajourneytowards.blogspot.com) with him.
Lord Bless you all and have a great day! I Love You!!!!!!!!

Life

Hi family and friends! I apologize for being away so long. It has been tough for me for the past two weeks. First my sister wrote me off, nothing new actually, it is just that this time she tried to tell me to pray, she was praying and she was sooooooo gracious to forgive me. For what? Anyway, that in addition to the Lord just really trying to speak to me about my role as a Mommy and my responsibilities, being different from the crowd and one of my dearest friends has decided to put her child in public school. I do not think public is bad for all however, this particular example is really a head scratcher for me. So maybe some of those prayers that my sister says she is praying for me will help me.
More than ever I am convinced Big Daddy and I have made the RIGHT decision. HARD but right! Jesus never said this road would be easy, only that he would never leave us or forsake us.
Twenty years ago on December 11th this year I was baptized in the precious name of Jesus and then 20 years ago on December 25th, this year I received the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Praise be the name of Jesus!!!! I made a promise to my Lord then, that I would go wherever and do whatever HE asked me to. I admit it has not been easy and as I told my dear sweet friend Very Blessed Mommy of Six, the line I drew in the sand is no longer a line but now it is a crevice. That let's me know that Jesus' return is even closer than I think. Joshua 24:15"Choose you this day whom you will serve".
Lord Bless you all today and let's remember to give "Thanks" this week. Love You!

I don't know

Well, it is about 2:35 am and I am WIDE AWAKE. No creepy feelings, no discernment just AWAKE. I am just SICK. Sick at the thought that I now reside in a country where I feel like an "alien". No longer does the innocent killing of babies matter, no longer does it matter if you work a long day, or no days and no longer does it matter if a man marries another man. No longer does anyone care. I had a feeling we would have a liberal president this time around, I mean after 8 years of conservatism. Let's think about this in a different light.
1. People keep talking about the economy. An economy I might add where most PROSPERED and lived better lives than they ever did.
2. The war. It will NEVER end. The middle east will continue to fight until Jesus returns. And I predict that it will take longer to "pull-out" than our new President thinks.
3. Remember folks for the last four years the house and senate have been Democratic controlled so all those "problems" with the economy were voted on by YOUR political choices.
4. Change is always a good thing. But I am NOT a socialist and I do not desire to be one. THAT IS WHY I LIVE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. In whatsoever state be content- is what my Bible says. That I will follow.
6. I LOVE JESUS and in him will I put my trust.
I actually fear for the safety of our new President and his family. I will pray for the Lord's will and direction in their life and for his hedge of protection. My friends time is wrapping up. Choose you this day whom you will serve!
Are you ready to meet Jesus?








He is coming soon, very, very soon.
Lord Bless!

It was the blood.........

This afternoon

s service at church was so good! We started it off with songs about the blood. Had it not been for that precious blood, where would we be? As I enjoyed the presence of the Lord, I was struck as I watched people make their way to the altar to pray, worship, get a blessing, a healing, whatever they needed. That is the God that I serve. He will meet you where ever you are. I was also struck as I watched family members of those at the altar just sitting at their pews seemingly not even moved. I know that if my child or my spouse made their way I would also, and move Heaven and Earth to get there if I had to.
If I cannot pray for my loved ones who will? And should I expect someone else to? I believe that is one reason the Lord says that the women are the Keepers of the Home. We are keeping our children and our spouses covered with prayer and protection.
Titus 2:5 "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands,that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Which brings me to another point. How can I be a keeper at home if I am not there? Who will pray for my husband and children?
1 Thessalonians 5:17"Pray without ceasing". I can pray as I am doing the laundry, as I am doing the ironing, as I am preparing the meals, while I am showering, when Big Sister is doing her work (in between lessons). All day, every day. If I am on a job I cannot do that since I will accountable to a boss for my time. I am thankful Big Daddy also has this revelation. "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"-Joshua 24:15.
Love you all! God Bless!

A Thought

As I am sitting here at my kitchen table this morning, listening to the sounds of my children playing with Big Daddy I am looking out the window, scouring the internet for information on courtship. I realize Big Sister is only six and Little Man is only 15 months, but I KNOW I must start now to get all the information possible to make an educated decision. Maybe not so much a decision because I believe we have already settled that on his home front, but rather an educated, prayed about life course. Of course there is as much information against courtship as there is for it. The only way I know how to navigate successfully is to pray for direction, and keep The Word close. I find it interesting in one post the author states "of course if you are involved in the homeschooling community you know courtship is almost a corollary to homeschooling". Praise the Lord! Another reason I am passionate about it.
So far what I have discovered is the "traditional" dating methods not only do not apply to the Word, they simply do not work. I can attest to that. My prayer today is for the Lord's direction and wisdom and also to offer my children much better to what I experienced. I LOVE what my friend The Twins Mommy said- I do not want my children to have the scars that I have from dating. Scars never go away. (that is a paraphrase) I realize I cannot keep all the bad things from happening to my children, but I can keep them from making the poor choices I did by education, guidance and most importantly prayer.
On a lighter note- yesterday was a really fun day. Big Sister played outside with the neighborhood kids just about all day. Of course either Big Daddy or myself was ALWAYS present. You never know what can be done or even said. I also made the most amazing cookies. Almond pillow cookies. A flaky crust with a yummy almond filling! Even Big Sister said, and I quote, "DEE licious!!!!!!!" Our dinner is ready for after church, except the no knead bread which I will bake before we leave. This may be a "Sabbath" after all. Have a great day all. I Love you and miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To homeschool or not to homeschool...

Early this morning I was awoken to the sound of some rustling and wimpering.  Little Man has been suffering from a bad cold all week and he is just not resting well.  After I went to check on him, give him some milk and settle him back, the wheels in my brain began to turn;  and if you know anything about me that is an all consuming event.  It seems as if the flood gates were opened.  However; this time I know it was the Lord.  Speaking to me only as he can.  So I began to listen.  It was about homeschooling.  First, let me state it is NOT for everyone.  You cannot do it successfully without the Lord.  Your spouse must be on board.  It MUST be a conviction or you will not persevere. 

Proverbs 22:6a "Train up a child in the way he should go," II Peter 1:5-7 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control, to self control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness love." Deuteronomy 6:7 "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by thy way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up."  Learning is NOT limited to 8 hours a day but it is a way of life.  Homeschooling is "life learning".

We are not "homely, uneducated" folks.   Most even have college degrees.  We desire our children not only to have superior educations but superior behavior and superior life skills as well.  We want our daughters to be godly mothers and homemakers and know that it is a blessing to do so.  We want our sons to know they can support a household spiritually and financially and it is a blessing to do so.

Before someone can homeschool they must fast, pray, seek the Lord's direction and be in harmony with their spouse.  (For a good post about submission see my friend the Twins Mommy's blog- ajourneytowards.blogspot.com)

1 Corinthians 12;24-26 "But God has so adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."

As you can see homeschooling is not only a conviction of mine but a passion.  It is possibly one of the toughest things I have ever done.  The things you work the hardest for, yield the greatest rewards. Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise up , and called her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  As I have stated before not only do I want to hear the Lord say enter in, I want him to say WELL DONE!!!!!!!

" 

Have a blessed day!

Separation

It seems as if all things these days are focused on the upcoming elections. What is very sad to me is MOST people have NO idea what their "candidate" represents, believes or his voting record. They are simply voting by emotion, and in some cases, ethnicity. Yep. I said it. The Bible is VERY clear on this. We MUST vote based on the word of our Lord and what HE thinks. I beseech you all to fast, pray and seek the Lord for your decision. Keep in mind just because a candidate says they want to end the war does NOT mean it will happen. No one single person has that much power. It must be voted on by both the house and Senate and then it will take a period of time before it will be implemented. Speak to a member or former member of the military and ask what they think of the two candidates. I believe you will have a different perspective. I guess that is part on my "ranting" as I have been accused of doing on this blog. Personally I think of it as righteous indignation. I do have scripture that backs me up.
You know the Bible DOES tell us to separate ourselves from the world, not be lukewarm and to be a peculiar people.
I WANT to hear WELL DONE! Not just enter in.
Well, I tried something a little different and actually frugal. I made my own dishwashing detergent. I have tried ECOS, Seventh Generation, Method, BioKleen and just about every store brand with and without poison.   My conclusion.......... They all STINK. Actually my homemade with some vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser work the best. My sweet friend from Germantown Home-school classes told me she uses white vinegar as a rinse in her laundry and how great it was. So I tried that and it was great so I tried it in the dishwasher. Great! And I also read an article by a person who works at the CDC and she stated by spraying peroxide and vinegar alternately actually kills more germs that using bleach. So guess what? I have the gallon size vinegar and is is sooooooooo cheap.
Well, tomorrow is the devils day/night so we are going to go out to eat & hopefully avoid the trick or treaters, most anyway, in our neighborhood. We will have our own fun and I will annoint the house in the morning and pray for the Lord's protection and mercies for another year.
I gotta run now- I need to buy Erin her winter coat on line and check out the skirt I just dyed. Making old things new. Love you all!
Oh, and I am still working on the information about courtship- Big Daddy is soooooo down with that concept. He is awesome! The Lord knew who to send me!

Courtship

It seems as if EVERYONE has courtship on their mind. Big Sister and I settled in to try to watch something on TV and relax and I turned on TLC and what was on? The story of Josh and Anna Duggar. Yep, Jim Bob and Michelle's oldest son. He and his new bride had a courtship. It was a very interesting story. My friend over at A Journey towards- the Twins Mommy- she also has been talking about courtship, and another friend, the Boys Mommy she agrees. Of course The Very Blessed Mommy of Six and I have had this same discussion and she is actually the one that started my wheels turning. I realize I probably do not have as much time as I think to begin the research and of course the praying. (Which was started from birth) There HAS to be something to this. So far I like what I read and what I see. There has to be a better way than what I did. What do you all think? Know of any good resources?
I have looked at Vision Forum and Grace and Truth Books. I just cannot decide which to start with.
My prayer tonight is that I will be able to convey this to my children and I will be a worthy example to them.
Good night family and friends. I Love you all!!!!!!!!!!

Life

Good morning friends and family.  It has been busy, busy, busy here; and that is the way I like it.  Really!  Unfortunately, Little man and Big Sister are a bit under the weather- so say a prayer.  We will be staying in the next few days and logging on to some Jesus today.  I have to tell you a little funny story.  My friend, Sweet Very Blessed Mommy of Six has gotten a bit "disturbed", and stated she was going to get some righteous indignation like her friend (wonder who she was talking about?  Must be an exceptional woman!)   Anyway that tickled me, you see her 10 year old, yep, you read that right her 10 year old daughter is ALREADY getting pressured by her peers about having a boyfriend.  Can you believe it?!?!?!?!?!?  I guess now I will have to get some righteous indignation also.  What tickled me was this mild mannered, very practical, always kind Mommy got her feathers ruffled and she was a bear.  The claws came out and I could swear (not really) I saw some horns.    Oh, that's right bears don't have horns, maybe it was something else.  But anyway, she was angry and rightfully so.  It is always good to see someone else, get ruffled instead of yourself.  Especially when it is someone who you don't see like that.  Good to know!

Which leads me to the next point or question.  What about dating?  What about courtship?  Kelly, the "Word Warrior" over at Generation Cedar has had some excellent posts about courtship rather than dating.  I think she has hit the nail on the head.  We will be doing more research and studying about this.

So we went to "Hallelujah Night" last night.  My churches alternative to trick or treating.  They asked those who would dress up to be community helpers or Bible characters.  I did not know that Hannah Montana was a community helper or a Bible character, or that a sonic waitress waitress was or even Indiana Jones.  (I do have to admit Indiana Jones WAS really good)  Anyway we went as ourself with an Indian headdress on.  After all it DID have pink feathers on it.  A great time was had by all and a bonus- sweet Baby Hemwee gave us the fish lips.  She is just beautiful.

This afternoon we are going to try a "new" healthy dessert.  An Apple crisp made with millet and oatmeal.  Yummy!!!!!!!!  I will let you know how it comes out.

Have a great day- Love you!

Sorry!

Sorry dear family and friends for being absent so long. This has been a BUSY week, even though we did not have classes Tuesday. Go figure. Sunday was AWESOME! I am so proud of Big Sister, she did a great job on her sign language song.  She did not do as well in the choir; she was busy looking at herself in the Jumbo-tron; it still sounded great!  Little man REFUSED to nap at all so he was restless and at times down-right U-G-L-Y! Thank goodness for Big Daddy; he really helped me Sunday. Love you Babe!
We have sent out our invites for Thanksgiving dinner and trying to arrange passage for Nana and Papa. We are very excited they may be coming. I have even started planning my meal. What can I say? After all I am A.D.H.D and a bit O.C.D.
In other news Big Sister began piano lessons this week she is VERY excited. I hope she will love it enough to continue many years.
Now for some righteous indignation. I found out today that some think my sweet friend, Very Blessed Mommy of six is controversial.   Apparently after our last Mommy's meeting at church she was told her topic was "controversial". WHAT!?!?!?!?!??!?!? ARE YOU SERIOUS??????????? This is the most conservative, considerate, mild person I know.  She would NEVER be controversial and I am sure that will bother her. Bless her! Me, on the other hand- VERY CONTROVERSIAL and proud about it!!!!!! I guess now because someone has convictions and lives according to the Bible they are now considered controversial. I say pray through people, and maybe the Lord would give you convictions, or better yet give you the courage (I was thinking another word) to live those convictions and not what they think people would like. The Bible tells us that to know right and not do it is to sin.

For those interested I baked Marilyn's (urban homemaker) bread recipe and used Joshua's (Tammy's husband from Tammy's recipes) conditioning technique and what I got was some YUMMY, YUMMY, SOFT bread. Try it.
Gotta run- Little man has awoken and is HUNGRY. Love you all!

Praise the Lord!

Good morning folks and praise the Lord! We are soooooooooo excited about what the Lord is going to do today during Children's revival. Big Sister will be doing her sign language song, and then singing with the choir. I can't wait. It is going to be good. Props to my sweet friend The Very Blessed Mommy of six; her girls are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sweet Big sister went to the altar Friday night and had her hands raised to try to get the Holy Ghost, and who do you think came over to pray with her? That's right, Very Blessed Mommy's oldest girls. It scared Big Sister but I explained to her that they came to pray with her because they love her and they want to help her pray to get the Holy Ghost. She liked that. So did I. They have been raised right. You guys (girls) will never know how much that means to us. Big Sister is still scared and I told her that was okay. She will get the Holy Ghost and we will keep praying. I told her how her Daddy got it- driving to work one morning. So please all keep praying. She will when it is time. My bestest girlfriend, Baby Hemwee's Mommy was 13 when she got it. Her Mom told me she just stopped pushing and just let the Lord work. Much wisdom in that statement. Much! Thank-you Marmie.
We had a fun but loooooooooooong day at the zoo yesterday and in fact both of the children are still sound asleep. At one point I thought I heard little Man snoring. Big Sister told me last night when we got home, "Mommy I had a fun day today. Fun at the zoo and fun at church. But it was a long day". Amen to both!
I need to go now and start something for our dinner when we get home late this afternoon. Remember to log on to www.tpcmemphis.org at 3:00 pm EST to see Big Sister sign and sing. Love you guys!
Oh, and buy the way spandex CANNOT be stretched to it's limit. Trust me I saw it yesterday at the zoo. YUCK!!!!!!
Love you!

Good Day

Today was a good day.  Actually today was a great day.  The field trip was fun, and everyone went to bed early!!!!   So I got to clean the house so we can have a fun day tomorrow.

I want to tell you all about the special "gift" I received.  Yesterday my sweet Big Sister and I were watching Arthur on PBS.  After it was over we both got up, I to start supper and she told me I have to make something, but it's a surprise so don't look.  Sweet!  Now, keep in mind the table is in the kitchen, where I was working.  Little Man was still napping so I was trying to get an early start.  Apparently she made what she wanted to and then I heard her go upstairs to Big Daddy's music room.  I heard her say "Daddy, I need you to write the words I say.  I made a surprise for Momma so don't tell."  I just smiled to myself and I tuned them out.  She came back down and handed this little card she had made.  It is a pink square with a sticker on the outside that says "princess".  So far so good.  Then I opened it up and it said, in Big daddy's handwriting, " I Love you Momma.  I Love you very much.  I like when you make cakes for me.  And Thank you for my baby brother in your tummy. (she means Little Man) I also like it when you gave me a Birthday cake. Love Erin"  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It doesn't get any better than that.  Of course it is prominently displayed on the front of the refrigerator.  Yep, it was a great day!  In Jesus name!

Love you guys!

DUH!!!! I forgot.

I forgot to tell you all one of the most important things that has happened.  Big Sister got her library card.  She was soooooooo excited.  The little man that helped us was so kind and encouraging to her. Thank-you Lord!  After we got it and got back in the car, she said Mommy I LOVE to read and I LOVE the library. (Thank-you Jesus)  And Mommy I need a wallet like yours so I can put my library card in it.  I told her she had a wallet but she insisted, No like yours.  She meant one that had a place to put cards in it and a little slot with a piece of plastic that your can see your ID thru.  So when I went to WAL-MART I found a little white one with butterflies on it.  Gotta Love WAL-MART!!  She was so excited and sure enough she placed her library card where you would your ID so everyone would be able to see it.  I am so proud of her!  Friday we get to go see some friends from church and their newborn twins.  We are taking them some supper.  Big Sister LOVES babies!

Saturday we are going to the zoo for Big Daddy's company picnic and hopefully I will have some

pictures to share from it.  Love you all!

Field Trip

 Good morning family and friends!  It has been a CRAZY week here.  Monday we were trying to get everything done from the weekend, and 2 days worth of school work- since Tuesdays we have enrichment classes more than half the day.  Tuesday we have classes.  Wednesday was going great.  Big Sister was doing 4 pages(both sides) of math and doing very well I might add.  We had done 2 days of school work that day also so we could go on a field trip Thursday.  We get done, have lunch late, get everything gathered up- get strapped in the car and...........nothing.  It would not crank.  I checked everything, made sure I turned it all off.  Tried again.  Nothing.   Well, actually it made like a little coughing noise- a noise I have heard in the past.  It sounded like the starter.  SO I called Big Daddy and when he got home we took it to be repaired.  Thankfully both car seats, barely, fit in the convertible so we do have wheels.  As I was putting everything in & strapping it all safely I turned to Big Daddy and said "sports cars were not made for families.".. Keep in mind we purchased the car in 1994.  It was 7 years old then.  It is German engineering so it will far outlast us probably.  Gotta LOVE those Germans!

Our field trip is today and while everyone is still asleep I have made lunches.  Enough for probably 5 people.  Thanks Brigitte!!!!!  Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are going to the pumpkin patch.  We will get "pie" pumpkins and go on a hay-ride.  We may even be able to go thru their petting zoo.  There is a gift shop also.  It will be fun.  The BEST part will be to see my children, and see how much they enjoy it.  It is truly amazing being a parent.  The BEST, well second best after the Holy Ghost, thing I have ever done!  I should have done it sooner.............but then again maybe I would not have appreciated it as much.

Okay, the information you have been waiting for...........  Erin will be praise singing, up in front, this Friday night at 7:30 pm, then the children's choir will sing a little later.  That is CST for those on EST.  AN hour ahead Mommy!  Saturday evening, the same time her choir will again sing and then on Sunday afternoon 2:00 pm CST her choir will sing but before them her little girls group"The Gemettes" will being doing sign language to a song.  It is going to be great!!!!  I CAN'T wait.  I am the proud Momma I assure you!  For those that can please at least get on-line and watch the singing and signing: www.tpcmemphis.org.  It will bless you.  Also please pray for our friend Christine from our Bible study group.  She is supposed to come to Children's revival.  She NEEDS to be there.  Okay- I have to go.  Little people will be waking and I must call to check on my little friend Janet who was put in the hospital last night.  Please pray for her complete healing.  She has had sooooo many health problems in the last 5 years.  Even had all but 1 inch of her colon removed; but I serve a God who is THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.

Love you guys!!!!!!

A Day of Rest!?.......... and a confession!

Today is Sunday, our day of rest.  I wish!  Big Sister has to be at church at 11:30 am for sign language practice.  1:00 pm is Sunday School and then 2:00 pm is regular service.  Today we have a guest speaker so it may be later than usual when we get out.

Well.................. I have a confession to make.  Some will be very surprised, shocked even and some will just nod their heads and grin (because they were already aware of the information).  My confession is, well it's........um.................... okay, okay.  I am NOT frugal.  Not even  a little bit. There, it's out.  Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I need prayer friends!!!!!!!!!!!!

With the recent turn of economic events and the Lord's prompting (for about 20 hundred months it seems) I realize I need to be.  Frugal that is.  I am sure so much more also but, one thing at a time.  I have decided I will start meal planning, something I loathe more than ironing, and I will clip coupons and I will STICK to my list.  Yes, I will continue shopping organic and all-natural of course but I will try to do it with much more wisdom.  I can only do what I can do.  That is one reason you pray over your food right?  I think!  No, really.

Here is a funny for you along those lines.  When Big Daddy and I were first married, and I really was not a great cook he would pray over our food "Lord bless the hands that prepared it and Lord, if there is anything harmful in it.................needless to say THAT prayer did not last long- for many reasons.  I am sure one was self preservation on Big Daddy's part.  Now when he sits down to eat he looks and says "What yummy gourmet meal has Mommy made for us tonight?"  Thank-you Lord!

On a different note, when the children and I were at Target yesterday morning, another thing I will cut back on, we saw a friend from Germantown Baptist Home-school group.  Her son is in little man's nursery class.  She asked me if little man had been sick or any of us.  Apparently Tuesday night, we have classes Tuesday morning, Conner (her son) had gotten sick with a stomach virus and it went through all of her four children and her.  At that very moment there was panic in me, but then I thought wait-I have a COVERING that keeps us safe and I happened to fast that day because of the bible study we were facing.  Thank-you Jesus for your protection!  Also I was talking to very blessed Mommy of six yesterday afternoon and  was telling her the story.  She told me that her daughters were telling her of all the people that had the stomach flu from their classes. The Lord NEVER ceases to amaze me at his greatness.  I fully expect my prayer for this coming class to be answered- and the devourer to be silenced.

My Sabbath plans have worked about half way so far.  I did not get any dinner in the crockpot- we will grill out & have a salad from a sack.  I did get all the laundry done, and all the baking done, including 2 loaves of wheat bread.  By the way friends, I used "Marilyn's"  recipe with "Tammy's" conditioner and it is a yummy, soft, lovely loaf.

Time to go friends and family, little man is standing here, hands up for me to pick him up, crying so...........................

Love you all & have a blessed "Lord's day".

Life

It is Saturday and life just caught up with me. Tuesday went, well............let's just say we (the Apostolics) were hit with both barrels. Denise started the "study" by giving the trinitarian doctrine and then it just went south after that. The scripture in Acts 2:4 was read up until it said "and they spoke with other tongues." But that is okay, we held our peace and the Lord will win. Our friend Stephanie asked many questions and said if the Bible says it than I want it. Praise the Lord! Today she was going to spend the day with very blessed Mommy of six, so I know she will be blessed and loved- and my friend will give her loving, gentle information. So please help us pray for truth to be revealed.
My prayer for next Tuesday is "Lord, YOUR will be done, allow the speaker's mouth to be closed." Actually that was a nice way of me saying Lord, give her laryngitis or the flu- and let the devourer be silenced. I am who I am!

Today we are spending a nice quiet day at home. I got up early, made cookies, chili for chili dogs, and later I will make some cheese danishes for tomorrow morning and start something in the crock-pot for dinner. I am determined we will have a proper Sabbath. Oh, for those interested next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Erin's choir will be singing and her Gemettes girls group will be doing a sign language song. It will be FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will give you the times later, but the website is www.tpcmemphis.org.

I am sitting here on the loveseat, watching a movie with Big Sister and Big Daddy, he went to work this morning at 3:30 am and little Man is blowing kisses behind me.  It doesn't get any better than this.  Love you all, more later!

Prayerful

Good morning my family and friends!   Today is the day.  The day our "bible study" with the home-school classes, is going to teach on 'The Power of the Holy Spirit".  One passage in this chapter that we are concerned about says,"You receive the Spirit's filling by faith, not by having a particular feeling.  Some Christians wrongly believe that the filling of the Spirit is a sensation.  They expect waves of love, an overwhelming sense of peace, or the ability to speak in strange languages. Theirs is a fleshly desire to walk by sight, not by faith.  So you see..................

The bible study has been good last year and thus far this year.  And really it has been non-denominational.  However; for those of you who really "know" me, you know that I am ADHD and I kind of tune in and out when I want or need to.  Love you Mommy and thank-you for always defending me.  It actually is a gift.  Really.  This time, however, I must be ready to "defend" what I believe.    Very Blessed Mommy of Six is in there with me, thank-you Jesus and we have done our research and gathered our scripture and we are prayed and fasted up.  Ready to be lights, not controversy.  So please say a prayer this morning.  I know I need it.  I mostly want my spirit to be right.  I am so passionate about my faith and what I believe that I can come across a little brisk or even "sharp".  Love you all and I will write more later.

Silence is golden

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Do you hear that?  Me neither.  Little man is in bed.  He went early this evening since he did not get too much of a nap this afternoon.  Big Sister is upstairs with Big Daddy.   Tomorrow is my sweet friend Janet's birthday and we have invited her over for lunch. Big Sister looooooooooves Janet.  We are excited she will be coming over.

 Service this afternoon was amazing and my Pastor was awesome.  He told a few incredible stories, explained why we worship as we do, spoke a few moments and gave an altar call.  The spirit was so thick from the time we entered the sanctuary.  It was just FABULOUS (If you haven't noticed that is one of my favorite words).  People were making their way to the altar from the time song service started to the time altar call was made.  The participants were not just church family either, they were visitors as well. 

Big Sister told me how great kids praise was in the back.  I am so thankful we have a place our children LOVE to go to also.  God is so good!  We are now busily preparing for children's revival which will include Erin's girls group (gemettes) doing a sign language song and also our children's choir singing.  I will let you know the exact dates at a later time;  That way you can get online and check it out.(www.tpcmemphis.org)

Good night to all- Mommy is really tired herself and Monday will be busy.

Love you guys!

The Lord's Day

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Remember that song? Sometimes it's the old ones that are the most blessing. This morning around 6:30 am I heard over the baby monitor- very softly "Da- Da, and some other little words of Jacob". It was so sweet.   I got up with a smile, and a thought....... "If you think Da-Da is going to hear you and get up; dream on poor baby". Oh well, that is how it is supposed to be. As I went to get Little Man out of bed I peeked in on Big Sister and she was laying there, like a good girl, with her eyes wide open. Another early start to a long day. I am so grateful.  I would not have it any other way. I think maybe the children were up early because EVERYONE (including Mommy) fell asleep early. The fair wore us out.
Let's talk about the fair for a minute. As we were driving up and pulling in Big Daddy and I were discussing the life of a "carnival person." How interesting, hard, different, unhealthy and completely strange it is. I think it takes a special kind of, a person to do that for a living. Some of the travel trailers they live in were REALLYYYYYYYYYYY nice. More expensive than my car, or house probably. As we were walking around we were looking at the sights and smelling all those yummy fair food smells..... and let's be honest ALL the food there smells FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately after 2&1/2 hours of smelling, riding and eating what Big Daddy called it the worst philly cheesesteak sandwich, probably inedible, he said; the smells were not so good anymore. The sun was high in the sky, the temperature was climbing, more and more people were arriving and the carnival people were beginning to "ripen". That was our signal the day had come to an end. Luckily Big Sister was in agreement and we were able to just stop off at the petting zoo on the way out and go. Praise God!! Of course we did leave with a monster bag of cotton candy. Duh!!!!!

Today is "Power Weekend Service." Please pray for God's annointing and blessing on our services today. My prayer is that the visitors will feel the Holy Ghost and feel "at home". I pray that our visitors will rejoice and receive. Our friend Stephanie from Germantown is for sure coming so............ In Jesus name!
Pray for Jacob- he NEEDS to begin walking. He will stand alone, walk with help, walk along the furniture. I know, I know he will when he is ready- but he is HEAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you guys. Enjoy the Lord's day!

Weekend

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's saturday and that means the weekend. A time for fun & fellowship. Today we are planning, Lord willing to check out the mid-south fair for a little bit then back home. We are anticipating an amazing day tomorrow because it is our Power Weekend service. At least one of our friends from Germantown Baptist Home-school group is going to join us and possibly our friend Miss Rebecca from Wal-Mart. What a day of rejoicing it will be! Please pray with me for an annointed, powerful service.

I wanted to let you all know of a FABULOUS product I came across. ECOS brand furniture polish. It is amazing. A bit pricey but it will last a very, very long time. Just squirt a small amount on your cloth and go. It keeps your wood beautiful and it is not greasy and does not leave a film. Also it seems to keep the dust away a bit longer. I came across this product after I had been using the ECOS brand laundry soap I get at Costco. The polish I had to get at Wild Oats. I then got this "great idea" and thought I would log on and order some additional ECOS products since these were sooooooooo great. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!! The dishwashing soap. Terrible! The all purpose cleaner- just okay. The baby laundry soap- pretty good but really no need for it since the other is free of all "stuff" and natural. The ZAINZ stain solution is good; that I like also. All in all- not worth the extra time or money.

Say a prayer for me as I have wounded my index finger on my right hand and I am trying to type without it.
Everyone have a great day and I hope to have something more witty or thought provoking at a later date.

Thankfulness............and review

Well, here it is Tuesday morning and I have tears.  Yep. Tears.  I look at my sweet daughter and baby boy and I just can't help it sometimes.  They are soooooooooooo beautiful.  They almost were not.  The overwhelming love you get for your children is truly an amazing thing.  Something people will tell you about but until you experience it yourself.  There are no words.  I now know how my Lord must feel.  I think sometimes how hurt and sad he must feel also and that thought overwhelms me.  But amazingly enough, in spite of us, he still has mercy and grace.  If you don't know him today-you must.  Please- he is coming soon.  Very soon!

On to my product review-  Shade clothing.  I saw their add on Stephanie's blog- Keeper of the home and I was checking them out.  I just received my SECOND order of camisoles from them.  LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!  They are long; to my hip or longer if mine were not so um............. voluptuous?    They fit close and I actually turn mine around so the back is in the front to make it high enough.  They are tagless, so that works.   And while we are on the subject.... I AM SO SICK TO DEATH OF SEEING CLEAVAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have my own I do not want to see someone elses!!!     Even grown, OLDER women and women in the church.  Come on people!  Just because it is made in your size do NOT mean to have to wear it.  What happened to modesty, or leaving it to the "imagination"?  Does anyone else in the world wear undergarments besides me?  They are extremely hard to find.   But enough of my rant, or righteous indignation I like to call it. The shade camisoles are long, modest and there is even a little band of lace at the bottom so you can do the layered look with a little punch.  They also have other things and may be worth you checking out.  www.shadeclothing.com.

Well Little has come alive this morning and we have to get ready for class today.

Have a good day my sweet friends and family.  I Love you guys!!!!

Monday.....YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, believe it or not I like Mondays.  It means, to me, back on schedule, back in order.  Being somewhat of a control freak this is a very calming thing for me.  Order, repetition. LOVE IT!!!!!!!

We had another awesome service at church- people being blessed, getting the Holy Ghost.  That is what life is about.

I have found two great things this weekend I would like to share with you.  Vinegar and greek style yogurt.

First vinegar- I have been using it in my rinse cycle instead of fabric softener or sheets.  FABULOUS!!  Really!  When you take your clothes out of the washer they have a very mild vinegar scent but once you pull them out of the dryer. YUM!  They are clean smelling and soft.  Most important they are okay for all skin types.

Second- greek yogurt.  Who knew?  It is creamy, thick, not runny and oh so yummy and rich.  Yes, there is still that "twang" but so good.  It reminds me of the yogurt I ate in Berlin.  That was the BEST!!!!!!  I just added about a teaspoon of honey and some fresh berries and it was a tasty treat. 

Today I am going to give honor where honor is due. Romans 13:7 " Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear;honour to whom honour."  My parents.  Jack and Brigitte.

They are truly amazing people.  They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary this summer.  Not only for that reason do they deserve honor but because they raised me to have my own thoughts, trust my feelings and sometimes just go with my gut.  They live upstanding and morals lives and are an example.  When I chose to "change" my life and live for the Lord- they were not the happiest.  However; they loved me, respected me and trusted me enough to know I would make a good decision.  And when I brought my fiance home to meet them, after dating only 8 weeks, they again, loved, respected and trusted me enough to know I would make a good decision.  Why, do you ask?  Because they had taught me those skills and lived it in front of me.  Life was not always easy, but it was good.  I have many, many happy memories.  Thank-you Mommy ∧ Dad.  I Love You!!!!!

My parents live about 1000 miles away and I find myself often missing them.  Especially when my six year old tells me she needs to go to Nana's house because I am being sooooooo mean to her.  If she only knew what I lived through.

It is time to start school.  Have a blessed day today friends.  Sing those old hymns (read a journey towards blogspot) and let the Lord wash over you!

God Bless!

In mourning

It has finally come to an end. A bitter end, but an end none the less. I must ditch the Mountain Dew once and for all. Some of you may remember back in July I quit caffeine but then I went on vacation. Then I spent time with the in-laws and my parents, and the in-laws again. Need I say more?! Anyway, my body is now revolting in a HUGE way so I must die to the flesh and listen. So, for the next three days or so PLEASE forgive me and pray............. for my family. I am actually glad because the Lord works everything out so perfectly. You will never convince me he is not concerned about what goes in our body as well as what goes on our body. I will happily provide scriptures for anyone interested.
Oh, I have a frugal tip. Really!  I ran out of window cleaner. I have been using the new clorox green works, and to be honest I don't feel like it has been doing that great of a job so I got on line & got a recipe. 1 part vinegar (gotta love vinegar), 1 part alcohol (I know, I know) and 1 part water. Shake it all up & put in a spray bottle. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! This stuff works fabulously. And how much did it cost me? Next to nothing. Also I joined this on-line program and  will be sampling different products. The first one I received is a large container of Progresso natural chicken broth. No funky stuff in it. I also received several coupons for $1.50 off so if anyone is interested let me know.

 That is all for now. Boring stuff I know but after such a busy week and poor Daddy working until late EVERY, SINGLE night we are all tired.
Love you all & have a great weekend. Some of you I will see tomorrow at church and some of you can tune it at www.tpcmemphis.org. Expect to be blessed!

Now for the rest of the story:

Well, we did not do either; the bouncy or the craft store.  Big Sister decided she wanted to go to the carousel so Little man could go on it also. Ahhhhhhhh.  Good girl............ He hated it!  Oh well.  He enjoyed riding around in the stroller, watching Big Sister, snacking and chewing on his stuffed Woody toy.  So it was a good day.  We met a young woman and her four beautiful girls today.  They also home-school and poor dear she looked like a deer caught in the headlights when I stopped her and told how beautiful her family was and how lucky she was.  It is a shame she probably gets negative comments all the time like:  "Oh, are you going to keep trying until you get that boy?"  or "Are they ALL yours?!?!?!?"

Psalms 127:3 "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is HIS reward.

Now for some righteous indignation.  MARY WINKLER, actually got custody of her children!!  Can you believe that?  I mean, come on.  She can shoot her late husband, in the back (possibly while he slept) serve NO prison time and now regain custody of the children?????????  Is that justice?  I certainly do not agree with spousal abuse however, that is NOT grounds for murder.  What will she tell the children?  I shot your father dead because.......... WHAT???????  Will they grow up man hating?  Preacher hating?  Or worse, God hating?   I am going to pray for them.  Lord YOUR will be done.  In Jesus name!

 

Life

Well, here it is Friday already. Where has the week gone? I always feel as if I have accomplished nothing. But I must have; the house is clean, laundry done and Big Sister can read so....... I sit this morning in a completely silent (beautifully silent) house and try to figure out our day. Big Sister needs to do something different and little man and I need to get out and walk a bit so I think we will go to the craft store for Big Sister and maybe a park also. We will take our lunch and enjoy the day. I LOVE Fridays because it means the whole weekend off with Daddy and we can breathe a bit with school. My sweet and very good friend the blessed Mommy of six gave me some of the best advice (actually she has given me sooooooooo much of the best advice) and suggested instead of having a traditional day of "school" with workbook pages and spelling, why not just have Big Sister read to us. It has been FABULOUS!!!!! She loves it, I love it and little man seems to love it also. No pressure just read the readers she has and no stress. This is also a great way for me to gauge just how well she is doing, and I think it builds her self esteem.

So here is a question for those who dare answer.
There is an activity scheduled by our home-school group for today, and several other Fridays actually. It is from 1-3 pm and it cost $5. It is a bouncy place. One Mother told me she would go because her daughter "needed" that socialization and her toddler would just have to go along and stay in the stroller. Now I know this toddler she is talking about and despite what Mama says I can not imagine her staying in her stroller for 2 hours. She never did in the past. Unfortunately this place has nothing for small children to do. So we would just crawl around on that nasty floor or sit in the stroller and I run (not really) back and forth. Am I keeping big sister from socialization? I know she will love the craft store as she loves all things craft and I refuse to just drop her off and leave. Any opinions? Money and gas are NOT the issue.

Well, the quiet is just about over so I must go and "prepare myself". Say a prayer for us today. It seems little things are the hardest to conquer.
God Bless!

Being a Keeper at Home

Okay, so it is roughly 12:23 am Tuesday morning and you can see what I am doing..... blogging. I am up actually at this time because of the Lord. I had a terrible dream and was awoken to my own voice speaking in tongues, rebuking the devil......... so what's a Mommy to do? Get up, annoint the doorposts as Moses did in the Old Testament when the angel of death passed over, and pray over the children; until you accidently wake one up and/or you feel the spirit of peace. So I obeyed the Lord and now I feel a peace but the "chill bumps" remain. I am thankful for spiritual discernment and the privilege of being a "keeper at home" (Titus 2:5). All is well now and I will go back to bed. So many times during the day I just stop to thank my Savior for his saving grace. If you had only known me before.............................

In the beginning.............

It was at the age of 22 that I found out what the meaning of life was; Jesus.  I was baptized in his name, Acts 2:38, on December 11, 1988; and received his spirit, Acts 2:4, the evidence of speaking in tongues, On December 25, 1988.  The day the world designated as "his" birth was in fact the day of my "birth".  Praise the Lord!

At the ripe old age of 36 I gave birth to my first blessing- sweet Erin.  After many miscarriages, and being told by the fertility specialist I would NEVER be able to have a baby on my own, the Lord did what only he could do.  Then 11 days before my 41st birthday I had my second blessing. Baby Jacob. SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!  As a matter of fact my children's birthdays are 1 day apart.

 My Lord does ALL things well!

I have started this blog as a way to keep in touch with my family and friends who do not live near me, and a way for me to "expel" all this great knowledge I think I may have.  Also this is a way for me to express my righteous indignation or whatever I think it is.  

I love to cook, bake, be a Mommy and hear the word of our Lord.  Nothing is better than a good old fashioned camp meeting type service.  The kind you come home wringing wet afterward.

Please sit down, put your feet up and join in with me.

Lord Bless!