Thankful Thursday {House Church}

I love my house church! In the last couple of weeks I have gotten to

- see 2 people come to know the Lord that were connected to our house church.
- go grocery shopping with 2 of my great friends from house church.
- help one new mommy make 2 apple pies.
- that same new mommy watched Carys for me while I had and appointment.
- teach 12 little children about Jesus.
- study God's word with my house church family.
- eat dinner with them.
- encourage a sister going through a difficult time.
- encourage a sister going through a difficult time. (Yes I meant to write that 2 times!)
- watch God grow people (including me) beyond what I thought possible.
- have great ladies pray for me while I struggle with my own sin.

We have been a part of this house church for about 6 years. We have seen people come and go. We have made some of our greatest friends through house church.
Is house church difficult? Yes. Does it take time? Yes. Does it get frustrating? Yes.
It is worth it all!

This Thursday I am thankful for my House Church!

God's Green Earth

Friday was Earth day but since it was also Good Friday (a little more important to me than Earth Day) I held this post off until today. Now, don't get the wrong idea...I am not a granola lovin', tree huggin', Al Gore type. However, I do think that we have a responsibility to take care of the beautiful world God made. Each year on Earth day I try to do something to help take care and preserve our Earth. As you know my April resolution was green cleaning. (Which has been going great! My house spells like vinegar half the time, but...) That was one step in helping the Earth. This year for Earth Day I decided to stop using paper towels. Is years past I have cut my use of plastic bags and paper plates and napkins in more than half. I wasn't sure how getting rid of paper towels would work, but so far so good. I clean the windows and mirrors with 100% cotton rag and wipe up spills with a towel.

So what will you do to help God's beautiful world?

WeekEND News

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I know we had a great time celebrating our Lord's resurrection. Church on Friday was great. So good to get my mind focused before the weekend. Sunday was rockin'! I could have stayed and worshiped with my church family all day! Before church we had an egg hunt at home. It was wet but fun! Carys wanted her hair curled so she slept in rag curlers. She woke up crying and trying to pull them out. It ended up looking really cute.

After church we came home and had ribs for lunch. A good tradition to start I do think! Then we headed to my mom's. Thankfully the weather cleared up for about 1 hour so the kids got to play outside. They had a great time with their cousins.

Look at those kiddos!

(Very) Good Friday

As I think and reflect on what this day means, for me, as a follower of Christ it brings joy and sadness to my life. We just studied Genesis 22 on Tuesday at house church. (The story of sacrificing Isaac.) We have been going through the book of Genesis and how cool that we fall on this chapter the week of Easter. God is amazing! So, as I studied it I kept thinking of Abraham and what he was thinking:

When God said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go offer him as a burnt offering ." (v2)
When on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. (v4)
When Isaac said, "Daddy, we have the fire and wood, but where is the lamb?" (v7)
When he had to tell him, "God will provide for himself a lamb." (v8)
When he had to bound his son and lay him on an alter. (v9)
When he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. (v10)

All of these things helped me see the death of Jesus through the eyes of God, his Father. I was broken by the thought of God being so distraught over his son dying, but rejoicing that Jesus was making a way for sinners to enter heaven and have a relationship with him. What a beautiful holiday we get to celebrate this weekend. Jesus died and was placed in a tomb, but death could not hold him down. God rolled away the stone and gave new life. What stone needs to be rolled away in your life today? Grief, pride, selfishness, unforgiveness? We all have something and God wants to move the stone today.

This song has been helping me keep my focus on Easter this year. It is a hymn that Casting Crowns has redone . If you have never heard it download it! You will be singing, shouting for joy, clapping your hands and praising the Father!


Glorious Day (living He Loved Me)

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
[| From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/glorious-day-(living-he-loved-me)-lyrics.html |]
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Thankful Thursday {My friend Lisa}

Lisa was Broderick's Kindergarten teacher last year. The first time I met her and helped in her class I knew I could be her friend. But more importantly, I wanted to pray for her and impact her life for the Lord. I can't even believe what God has done in her life, in my life and in our friendship over the past year! Rewind to about a year and a half ago...

Broderick got his teacher assignment and we found out that another family from our house church was in the same class, Ricki! (Me thinking, "Okay God, this is amazing! Out of 700 students we have 2 families from our house church in the same class. You are up to something.) I started praying for Lisa ans her class and her school year, but also for her salvation and relationship with God. I also began volunteering as soon as the school year started. After I started to talk to Lisa more I would joke, with some of you, about how we were going to be friends. She has a log home and I kept saying, "I am going to go to her house someday. I really want to see it!" You all would laugh at me. I mean really, it was a funny idea. How many people become friends with their children's teachers? So the year got off to a good start. I helped out a couple times a month and would do little things for Lisa. Bring her a drink in the morning when I came. It also just so happened that I was scheduled to help in her room on her birthday, so I made treats to share with the class. (I don't share this to say look at me, just to show how little deposits go a LONG way. When you think something may not make a difference. It may actually make a HUGE difference!) Let me also say that on several occasions Lisa would say to me, "In over 10 years of teaching, this is the hardest class I have ever had!" So I amped up the prayer. The night of our spring conference Rob and I sat outside her room for about 30 past our scheduled time. Lisa was meeting with Ricki and her husband, from our house church. When they left and we started our conference Lisa started crying. She began to share that the conference before Ricki's was terrible. The parents got very angry at her and really made her upset. Really, God just so arranged it that after her terrible conference Ricki had theirs and then we had ours...Really!? I couldn't believe. Again, I thought, "God you are up to something."
The year was coming to an end and I was getting upset. I mean, really upset. I didn't want to loose connection to Lisa. I told her I would help in her class next year! (I know, I was a little obsessed!) About the last week of school she said she wanted to get together over the summer. WHAT!? I was so glad...we were really going to be friends! So, it began!
Fast forward to winter break 2010: Lisa and I got together for breakfast. She began to share with me some difficult things going on in her life. I really felt the Lord prompting me to share with her I became a Christian. So I did. I thought, she might not want to be my friend after this, but God, I know you have been working here. I shared many things with her that day and was very honest with her. She said, "I know where you stand and that is why I wanted to talk to you." (Just writing that brings tears to my eyes.) Remember those little things I did, she saw them for more...she saw Jesus. That was the whole point! I invited Lisa to our church and to house church. She came and has been coming since! She is still going through the same difficult things in her life, but she is pursuing the Lord through them. So not only is this all amazing but...
Her husband, who has never really been to church, EVER, is starting to reach out to the Lord too! Over the past weekend he went to the men's conference with Rob and a couple of the guys from house church. He had never met any of them, never been to our church and he went to the conference. Friday, met them for breakfast Saturday and went to the conference Saturday!
I can not tell you how much joy this brings me! I love to see God do amazing things and move in people!

Today I am thankful for the way God is working in Lisa's life and what he is and has taught me through this friendship!

WeekEND News

This weekend was low key, but so fun. Rob went to a "manly" conference at church with some guys from house church so that left the women and children to fend for ourselves. What do when women do when the hubbies are away? We gather! Some of the ladies and their children came over to our house. The kids had a "sleepover" in the living room. They watched a movie and made ice cream sundaes. (Some of the ladies made sundaes too!) Does life get any better?

Saturday Rob was back at the conference. The kids and I went to a Family Fun Day at Carys' school. It was really fun! I forgot my camera so I don't have any photos. (Bad mom...I know.) There was a local band there that was GREAT! After that we headed to a fast food place with an indoor play area, because it was a yucky day. We met up with some lovely friends that Broderick informed me we ALWAYS meet at this place! (We do, I am not gonna lie!) We ended the day with pizza and movie night which is usually Sunday, but it was yucky out and Sunday was going to be nice.

Sunday of course brought church and fun at home. The kids made this great "laser" web thing in the hallway. Then Rob and I had to be tested to see if we passed. We failed...I guess we will never be spies. Sunday was also "Cheese ball Day" so of course we ate cheese balls! Great fun!

I just love these goofies!

Down on the Farm

Carys and I spent this gorgeous morning at the farm. It was so fun! We saw chickens, hens, ducks and ducklings, a cat, horse, sheep, donkey, and piglets. (They were my favorite...so cute!) What you may not know about me is that I kind of want to live on a farm. Ya know, raise my own chickens. Well, not me, but our family. Rob grew up on a farm so he would know what do to...I think. It will never happen. When I really think about what living on a farm entails, I quickly change my mind. The mice alone creep me out. However, it is a nice thought!

After we saw all the animals we played at the park for a little while. It was a great morning!

Have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

Tuesday night at house church I was teaching the kids lesson. I was reading the story of the crucifixion. The conversation went something like this...

Me: Have any of you ever sinned?
(Everyone of course raised their hand.)
Me: Do you all know what sin is?
Almost Everyone: When you do something bad!
Broderick: (my son) My mom says bad words all the time!!!!
Me (Turning red, laughing and feeling really awkward): Well, we all make wrong choices.
(Good recovery, right?)

Then today this is a conversation I had with Carys.
(She had stickers of all the Disney princesses on her shirt.)
Me: Which one is your favorite?
Carys: This one, this one, this one, this one, this one, and this one.
(She pointed at them all.)
Me: Do you know which one is my favorite?
Carys: (She looked at them and then pointed to herself with a huge grin!)
Me: (huge smile on my face) Of course!

How cute is that?! I was thinking of a Disney princess that is my favorite, but that little gesture and smile just made my day!

Today I am thankful for the funny things my kids do and say!

L.O.V.E.

I went to a funeral today of a man that was 90 years old. I didn't know him very well, only met him a couple of times. I spoke to his lovely wife briefly. I asked her how long they had been married. "70 years," she said with a smile on her face.

70 years of marriage.

Imagine...

the memories she has.

the things they have seen together.

the conversations they have had.

the bond they share.

the fullness in her heart that is now empty.

how many times they have laughed and cried together.

the places they have been.

Being married for 10 years these days is an accomplishment. I immediately thought of my husband! I was saddened at the thought of loosing him. I called him as soon as I left. I can only hope and pray that Rob and I can share a life together even half the length of this time.

If you think of it please pray for sweet Ruby.

Toothless

My poor son is 7 and has only lost 2 teeth...

make that 3!

This tooth has been loose for.ever! I kept telling him to to wiggle so

he wiggled...

and wiggled...
with Grandma's help.

Look at that tooth...

It was hanging my a thread when he left for school yesterday.
Grandma even called when she got home to see if he had lost it.
Then last night in he just pulled and

POP

out it came.

Now he is toothless!

WeekEND News

This past week my in-laws were in town. We had such a good time. We did a little bit of this...

a lot of this...

some of this...

and some of this...

and Terri and I did a lot of this...

We went to a flea market which I haven't done in years. I was kind of not looking forward to it, but I actually had a really good time. I have grown to love Goodwill shopping, which we also did...twice, so this is like Goodwill on steroids. I will be going back! We went to the outlet mall one day too and Terri bought a frother. It was great! We made lattes about 10 times! I will be going back to the outlet mall to get one of those too! I am so fortunate to have great in-laws, it is just a shame they don't live closer! (I am working on that!)

How was your weekend?

WeekEND News

I can't believe the weekend is already over! We were so busy it literally just flew by. Friday night was the wonderful sewing class. It really was fun! It would not have been as fun if my closest peeps weren't there with me. Carrie and I literally laughed the whole time. We were being bad...(I know you ladies are laughing just thinking about Bethany and the pins! haha) After our class we went for some snacks, drinks and dessert. There the laughter continued...

and continued...

and continued!

It was such great fun! A night out with great girlfriends is always so good for the soul!
Saturday Rob and I cleaned the carpets which went into Sunday. It was a project! Now I feel like my house is super clean, which I love! Yesterday was beautiful so we took a break from cleaning and ran some errands and made a surprise stop at the park. It was great! The kids were so good and patient this weekend...they deserved a little reward.

One last thing...

We went to church Saturday night and our pastor was preaching on John 3:16. He made this statement...

"God sent his best, Jesus. If we truly love other people we give them our best."

(Sucker punch) This hit me hard. So often the people I love most, my family and friends, get the leftovers. But God gave me his best and therefore, I need to give him and others my best, not the leftovers. I pray that the Lord will help me to give my best!

Once a Month Resolution

Yes it is that time again. I am happy to report that I have been doing good on my last 3 resolutions. Today I ate terrible and my in-laws are coming in town next week so I am sure I will eat bad then too, but I am making better choices! Exercising is going fabulous! (I wish I could do Zumba everyday! But I do have a family that needs me at night...bummer!) I have also been reading a ton with the kids. We have read 2 chapter books, working on our 3rd and been reading lots of short stories. It has been so fun!

So what does April bring you ask yourself...

Showers and flowers!

No, really, my resolution is...

To start "green" cleaning. I have been reading this book. It is a real eye opener! After reading about all the chemicals that are in the things we use to clean our house and the effects they have on our bodies...it is amazing! I know this is going to be extremely hard, but I truly believe the outcome will be a blessing! It will be a process to change everything over to what the book recommends and I may never get there. The goal is to gradually change. I will not be buying products with certain chemicals in them: Ammonia, bleach, butyl cellusolve, chlorides, ethylene glycol, hydroxides, limonene. If you start reading labels you will be astonished. Not only with what you use to clean your house, but also your body and what you eat. The kids have this foam bath soap...I am sure you have it or have seen it. Well, it has propane in it! PROPANE!!!!!
I have been washing my kids with propane! What!!!!???

Okay, I am off my box now...

Really though, pray for me. This is going to be an undertaking, but I super excited for it!

Sneak Peak: After I finish this book, I am going to read, "Why Christians Get Sick."
That should be interesting too. Maybe it will really get my butt in gear on what I eat.
(i.e. McDonalds!)