"Look, I made snowflakes!"

So, it's been snowing all day today and the miss has been begging to play in it. It is waaay too cold however. It is supposed to feel like it is 9 degrees or so.

Anyway, I put the miss down for her nap this afternoon. Because her mommy and daddy have been lazy, the box that her train table came in is still in her room. In that box, a giant piece of styrofoam. She had been up in her room for about an hour and was quiet, but I started to hear her talking to herself. I decided to let her get up and play with the four-year old day care kiddo who was awake. When I went into her room, I couldn't believe the mess.

That large piece of styrofoam had been turned into a million little pieces and it was everywhere. The bulk of it was in her bed and all over her. She let me know that she made snowflakes. I don't know if you have tried to clean up styrofoam before or not, but it sticks to everything. Getting it all off of her was a nightmare.

Here she is....


The picture is a thumbnail. Click it to see it in full size.

In Other Words

"God has delivered us, He has parted waters for us, He has made water gush forth from rocks and sent us our own manna from heaven. He has brought us into our own Promised Land. Will I miss the opportunity to tell the story to our children?
~ Ann Voskamp ~

I must admit, I have been a chicken lately when it comes to doing these...In Other Words. I read the quote each week, become puzzled as to what on Earth I could possibly write and then decide to participate next week instead. Anyway, I think it has been over a month since I last took part in a Tuesday's In Other Words. I decided that I just need to do it. Read the quote and write. If I end up having nothing but rambling nonsense to share, then so be it.

I want to be sure to always share God with my children. I also want to be sure that they know the many ways in which He worked in my life.

Awhile back, I was introduced to faithbooking. It is using scrapbooking to commemorate God moments in your life. I want to make an incredible faithbook to pass on to my children someday. I have been toying with the idea of making it digital so that I will be able to order one for each child. In it, I will share my testimony, stories of times God worked in my life and in the lives of those around me. I will share favorite Bible verses. I will share about my relationship with my hubby. I will share some about special moments the family has shared.

The entire book though will be centered around God and how my life was shaped by Him.

Some resources on faithbooking for you to check out.

Bella Online
This page has various faithbook challenges, different themes. Also lots of great tips and ideas.


Faithbook Starters


Oh, and check out Digital Scrapbook Place
You have to register. But it's free and you get free papers and things to use in your digital scrapbook. I am saving up to buy the $40 digital scrapbook software that allows me to make awesome layouts using papers, embellishments and my own digital pictures. It will be fun. I will use it for my faithbook!

Exer Fun

The Weekend is flying by

Well, tommorrow is the last day of our wonderful four day weekend. It actually went faster than I thought it would. Sadly, I was sick for half of it. On Thanksgiving morning, I woke up feeling miserable. My head was pounding, I had a fever and I was throwing up. Faeryland mom and I were splitting Thanksgiving dinner preparations. We were hosting dinner at her house and had invitied some single guys at the Air Force Base who didn't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving. I was in charge of 2 pies, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, ham, veggie tray, and beverages. I called poor Faeryland Mom who was busy cooking the turkey and MANY other items to tell her that I just couldn't cook a thing. Her hubby drove by and picked up all of my ingredients. However, around 1:00, I was feeling better and my family headed to Tiff's. I was able to help her with a few things. But it was mainly Faeryland Mom who prepared Thanksgiving dinner. I only ate a tiny bit of it because I was still feeling a bit yucky. All of the food was YUMMY! Here are some pictures.


Faeryland Mom and her turkey. Her first turkey ever. A 16 pounder. She did an AMAZING job. It was delicious!



DH carving the turkey


Halo time while food digested


The Miss and her friend thought they were playing.



The mister



Me and Tired Faeryland Mom




Last night, I was feeling MUCH better, so DH and I had a date night. We went and saw the movie, Stranger Than Fiction, and we really liked it. We also saw a preview for a movie, We Are Marshall, that I want us to see for my birthday. It comes out the day after my b-day. It looks REALLY good.

Today, DH ran the fort at home with the kiddos while I went with some church members to the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center. I spent four hours in an assembly line of sorts. It was our job to look through the boxes to make sure there weren't any unallowable items. We were also able to add to the boxes if we desired to. They had many clothing items, toys and stuffed animals to add to each box. We then taped them up and handed them off to another group who packaged them up to be shipped out. It was an incredible experience. The warehouse had thousands upon thousands of boxes from all over the mid-west. The boxes in Aurora are going to be shipped out to children in South America. A child receiving one of the boxes will get items such as toys, clothes, toiletry items, books, puzzles, crayons, Bibles and a story book in their language sharing the Gospel message. I am so glad that I was able to be such a part of it this year. It was so neat getting to see what was in each box and thinking about the children that would be receiving the boxes.

So, that's been our weekend. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Quick Pics

These are from Sunday evening.
The miss and her friend


And...

The mister with his friend.
When I first put him up to her, he put his arms around her and hugged her. But by the time a picture was snapped, they were like this.....


It's still cute though!

Little list of thankfulness

So, the day care kiddos are going to make a Thanksgiving garland tomorrow and on it will be the things that they are thankful for. So, yesterday afternoon I explained to them what Thanksgiving is and also what things we have in our lives we could be thankful for. After the miss listened to E (my 4 yr. old day care kiddo) list off what he was thankful for, I asked her what she was thankful for. She smiled and said, "Mommy."

Me: You are thankful for Mommy?

Little Miss: Uh-huh. Yes.

Me: What else are you thankful for?

Little Miss: (Screaming on the top of her lungs with a huge smile) DURIN!!!!(Durin is one of her closest friends).

Me: Anyone else you are thankful for?

Little Miss: Ummm...Daddy! (Poor daddy came in third). :o(

Me: What about your brother?

E: Yeah, are you thankful for the mister?

Little Miss: (VERY Matter-of-factly) NO!

Spiritual Gifts

So for this week's Shape Of My Faith, I am exploring my spiritual gifts.

I took a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. , and here are my top two spiritual gifts:

Mercy
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to feel exceptional empathy and compassion for those who are suffering so that they devote large amounts of time and energy to alleviate it.

Faith
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit provides Christians with extraordinary confidence in God's promises, power, and presence so that they can take heroic stands for their future of God's work in the church.

I really do strongly agree with both of these, however, I was surprised that I got such high marks for faith. I have always been one to really be at peace during hard times because I had the faith that everything would always work out and that God was in control. But, I feel that a couple of years ago, I wavered quite a bit in my faith. In fact, I even remember a friend of mine asking me at that point in time if I had faith in God, because I wasn't acting like it. And that remark really made an impact on me. Maybe she recognized I was lacking in faith because of the fact that usually my faith is very strong.

A lot of my thoughts and many actions are definitely run by mercy. I feel exceptional mercy though toward children. More so than I do for adults. But I agree 100% that mercy is one of my spiritual gifts. It is mercy that has put desires in my heart for such things as Compassion International and Mission Trips.

That was fun. YOU should take the test. What are YOUR gifts????

God's Thumbprints

For this week's Shape of my faith, we are to talk about God's thumbprints in our lives. What are those you ask? Well, here's the assignment....

We all have them. Whether it's a lost and found again stuffed bear, miraculous provision in the midst of circumstances, a calling, or even a definite pulling of strings by Him on your behalf you have something if you look hard enough. Some of us love to watch for those sorts of things (I do, in fact I even have a website just for my collection ) others have to try hard to recognize that there are divine moments that aren't just coincidences. You may have tons or just a few. We don't need the whole story or even all of them. I m hoping that each of you will take a moment, whether you write it or not, and remember at least one time when He did something wonderful, just for you.

In our house we call them God's thumb-prints or everyday miracles, others call them jewels, God hugs, miracles, God things. Whatever you call them, please share at least one and recognize that God does not often call us to hide them (though occasionally He does–as He once told a healed man to go follow the rules and show the priests instead of shouting it from a mountain top.) Often He will use them to bless others, to remind other Christians of His blessing and that He still does miracles today.

So, here goes.....

I have many, many examples of God's touches in my life. But the one that stands out the most to me occurred about two years ago. During this time, things in my marriage weren't good. I was dealing with a lot and I was confused as to how to handle it. My hubby was also overseas in Korea for the Air Force and I was worn out working full time and caring for our then one year old daughter. There was a wonderful gal in my life, Jeanne. I looked up to this woman like crazy. She was such a woman of God and she did in home daycare and watched my precious daughter for me. I liked chit chatting with her some nights when I'd pick up the miss, but since she had a family of her own and dinner cooking, we didn't talk often.

There was one particular evening after work, when I was just very distraught. I tried to hide it from others as much as possible. But things were very very VERY hard. She saw it. She knew I was down and heavy-laden. She knew a little bit about the problems DH and I were having at that point in time and a little bit about some of the struggles I was dealing with. She asked to pray for me. She asked if I would sit with her, let her hold my hands and let her pray for me.

Now, I have never been great at prayer. I long to be that person that has God right there with them as their best friend. That person that is constantly talking to God. That person, who when they pray things happen. But, I don't make the time for Him like I should. That is something that has been a recurring theme in many of my blog posts lately. Anyway, I had never really had someone hold onto me and pray for me before. At first I was a little uncomfy. But then she began to speak.

I knew that the words coming out of her mouth were from God. She again, only knew bits and pieces of my situation, but when she spoke, it was as if she knew every thought of mine. It was as if she had been walking with me for my entire journey over the past year or so. The tears streamed down as she prayed. And Jeanne held onto me and prayed for I'd have to say about twenty minutes.

What stuck out the most to me was the fact that near the end of her prayer, this TREMENDOUS peace rushed over me. It overtook me. It was as if all the pain, hurt, confusion that I had been feeling just a half hour ago, all of it was gone. It was incredible. I was just at peace. I left her house with this feeling that I had nothing to anguish over. God was with me. God was holding me. And God would make it all okay.

And that, my friend, I'd have to say was more than a thumbprint. That was an embrace. And it was amazing.

Tag:Faith

Theatrical Thursday Thirteen

header image by goofy girl

Here are 13 roles that I have either had or would like to have someday.

1. The bunny who didn't want to hop..in...the bunny who wouldn't hop (my first play ever in first grade).

2. Rosie in Really Rosie

3. Tootie in Meet Me in St. Louis. That was actually a fun role. Although upset to be cast as the little girl my senior year in the high school play, she was a fun character.

4. Amaryllis in The Music Man. Again given the role of a kid in my High School production. I think it had to do with the fact that I am tiny.

5. Sandy in Grease. The role I for some reason always wanted to have. I had a blast doing it and worked with a great cast. A few of them have gone on to do so much more. One is doing Mama Mia on Broadway. Another has been in a couple of movies. And one gal has a couple of hit dance singles.

6. Hodel in Fiddler On The Roof. I actually didn't audition for this show. The gal who had that part, had to leave a few weeks before production. So, I was called, asked to do it and told that I had three weeks to prepare. I LOOVED playing Hodel though. It was a fun show.

7. Harem Girl in Sideshow

8. One of the fifty bagillion children in The King And I

9. Okay, if they ever come out with a musical version of Moulin Rouge, I would love to play Satine.

10. I have always wanted to play the part of Beth in Little Women.

11. Belle in Beauty and The Beast..on Broadway of course, would be a fun role.

12. And I would love to be Emma in Jekyll and Hyde

13. Finally, I think the narrator role in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat would be super fun!

Homeschool??????

I am seriously, SERIOUSLY considering homeschooling my children through elementary school. And when I say I am interested in it, I mean I have already begun to pick out various curriculums that I would like to use when the time comes.

For instance, I think I really like this Kindergarten Curriculum.

And I think THIS looks GREAT! Of course, I wouldn't get to that with the miss for a few more years. Did you happen to check out the Luggage for each chapter?

Anyway, Do you homeschool? Were you homeschooled? I'd appreciate your feedback.

The Miss' Birthday Party

The miss's birthday party was so much fun. She was excited for it alllllll morning long and she had a blast. She was so cute when she opened her presents. Each present received a... "WOW!"


She loved every single gift!


To save space, I turned the images into thumbprints. All you have to do is click on the picture to view it in full size.

In Honor Of Veteran's Day

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. I found a GREAT video that I hope you all take the time to watch today or tomorrow.

We Support You

What's the shape of your faith? Style

This week, it is all about my style. Here's the assignment.....

This weeks faith shape overlaps with all the others so far. What is your style?

How do you tend to go about things and how does that affect how you obey, worship, and love God?
Are you a go-getter or laid back?
Do you keep it simple or do you go all out?
Do you finish what you start or leave it for someone else?
Do you like the best laid plans or prefer to wing-it?
Do you like to be different, to stand out in the crowd?
Do you prefer to go about unseen, be like everyone else?
Do you prefer the unusual or the normal, the intellectual or action?
Are you a doer or a dreamer?
Are you a follower or rebellious?
Are you old fashioned or do you like all things new?
Do like things the same or do you prefer change?
Are you very open about your life or are you more secretive and careful?
Last of all, how does your personal style affect your relationship with Him?

How do you tend to go about things and how does that affect how you obey, worship, and love God?


Well, I seem to always have tons of things on my plate. And although I say that I love to do a million things at once...and I work the hardest when I have more to do, I think my hubby can tell you, that I am not always the nicest when I have a lot to get done. I have always been the person who has tons to do. A lot of it is because I like to procrastinate. So, the stuff I put off the day before gets added to my agenda for the following day. I also seem to always be on the go..up and moving. As a kid, I was involved in many things; dance, plays, music, school....I was always out and about. And if I try to give myself less to accomplish in a day, I seem to long for more on my plate, so I'll create projects for myself, like organizing one of the kitchen cabinets for instance. So, I am definitely Martha. I think this part of my personality is the main reason I don't spend enough time in the word. I don't just sit still and commune with God. The only time I think I ever seem to escape all and sit there with my Father, is when I am singing one of my favorite worship songs to Him; with my eyes closed and arms up toward Him.

I am a planner. I like to have my days, weeks planned. And I can sometimes get stressed when things don't happen accordingly. There are times when I can be more laid back or spontaneous, but for the most part, I like to stick to an agenda.
Sadly, I don't seem to plan Bible Study and quiet time into the picture. I plan grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, meals, all of that, but I don't seem to pen in my time with God. That is definitely something I am striving to change in these next days / weeks ahead. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. I will make today day one.

I am easily distracted. I can sometimes struggle with focusing on someone when in a one on one conversation with them. I mean, I am hearing them and listening to them, but I am also listening to the three other conversations going on around me. I have to really concentrate on listening and paying attention to someone. Which I can do, if I want or need to. I will sit in a restaurant with my hubby and tell him what all the different parties around us are talking about. I can't help it. It's not that I am nosy, which I know it comes across as. But I love to watch people. I love to watch their mannerisms and how it goes along with what they are talking about. This tendency toward distraction does get in the way of my prayer time. I catch my mind wandering while in prayer with God. So, that is another time I have to really focus and concentrate.

I also can't seem to ever shut off my brain. I think one of the reasons I find myself feeling stressed or overwhelmed quite often, is because I am constantly thinking about all of the things I have to do. Here, why don't you step into what goes on in my brain in any given moment.........Ready...here goes......
Right now, I am thinking......
I have to get my appeal form to the school. Oh and I must make the car payment. What time is it? The pork will take 10 hours so I must get it into the crock pot soon. I wonder what I should do for the miss' birthday cake? Oh, I can't forget to mail my license renewal form out. I also need to complete the paperwork for the Air Force in regards to the miss' skull fracture. I really need to work on my support letters for my mission trip. I need to send more out. My first payment deadline is fast approaching. I really should plan this week and next week's menus. I can't forget to get cracking on my day care's end of the year paperwork. Hmmm...How are we on diapers, formula and bottled water? Did I remember to give the mister his medicine? I have to get those clothes put away. Oh, don't forget to jot down the volunteer dates for the Thanksgiving meals and the Operation Christmas Child Relay Center. Speaking of Thanksgiving? What am I making, again?
So, that is my brain alllll day long. And I think that is another reason, I tend to be more like Martha and less like Mary.

I feel I am very open about my life. I seem to share most everything with anyone who may be interested. And sometimes, I think I talk too much to too many people. Because I think when it comes time to talk to God about the same things, I am just sick of talking about it. I am so busy telling everyone else.....and I leave God out of it. I know that I should talk to God first...and then my blog and my friends can share the news as well. That is another thing I am working on changing.

So, as you may also be able to tell, I am very tuned into who I am and what things I need to improve upon. And while I am very quick at also observing changes that I think my friends and loved ones could make, I also stay quite focused on what I could be doing differently.

Becoming a little less like Martha is definitely on my agenda. Except I just put it as an agenda....oh my...really, I will become more like Mary, really.

I just found the cutest little poem about this Martha/Mary dilemma.

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." -- LUKE 10:38 - 42

I must have the hands of Martha;
Hands that scrub and cook and sew --
I can have the heart of Mary
While I do these things, you know;
Though my hands are in the dishpan,
This soul of mine can soar
And in thoughts sublime and lofty
Go right up to heaven's door.

I must cook, oh endless dinners,
For dear ones have to eat;
But my soul need not be cooking --
It can sit at Jesus' feet!
Help me, God, while doing duties
Against which my soul rebels,
Meekly still to peel potatoes,
But not to grovel in the shells.

Grant me, God, 'mid things prosaic,
Ere to choose the better part;
Grant that while I must be "Martha",
I can have a "Mary" heart.
Author Unknown

The Shape Of My Faith - Experiences

This week I am to talk about my life experiences. Here is our assignment....
What life experiences have you had that God might use to grow others-if you are willing for them to be used, which can be uncomfortable, especially when there is sin involved. Some of your experiences may yet be too personal or involve others who are not ready to have you share. That's okay. If you have struggled with a sin He can use it. If you were on the receiving end of someone else's sin, He can use it. If you are still in the midst of a suffering season, He will use it in his time. He will use them eventually or in situations where that will not be a problem. The thing is to keep them in mind so that in the future if He presents an opportunity for you to minister to others through it you are ready. Also consider your training as well as hobbies. If you have been trained to do something He can use it as well.

Well, I definitely have experiences that I can use to grow others. I think with some of them, I could use them in working with youth. I feel that I had a lot to deal with in my family growing up. Emotionally, home was a tough place for me during my teen years. So, I think I could share stories from that time in my life with today's teens and use it to glorify God and help them in their own walks with God.

My marriage has also had challenges. DH and I are on our way up now. At one point, it had been pretty bad. We both had a lot we had to work on together. And honestly, without God, if we had followed the world's ways, we may have even gotten divorced. It's horrible to say, but honestly that seems to be the trend nowadyas. It seems as soon as someone isn't happy, they bail. But God has really REALLY been working on our marriage and on each of us individually. I know that currently our testimony with our marriage is still being written. I am excited for the day when I can use the experiences we have had in our marriage to minister to others or to help those who may be dealing with similar issues.

As far as training, I've got experience working with kids in a day care setting. I run a day care out of my home. I also worked at one for a couple of years during high school.

I have 7 years experience working for various Title Companies.

I am trained vocally. Although it has been a few years since I have REALLY used my voice. So, I know it is a little rusty. But I took vocal training for about 11 years.

I have training in things like CPR, medical administration and First Aid.

I have taken a few child and adolescent development classes.

Oh, and I took piano lessons for about 5 years....although, again I am a bit rusty. And I took tap and ballet for six years.

As far as my hobbies, I of course love to sing. I also enjoy scrapbooking, blogging :o), getting involved in organizations that help children, and baking.

So there you have it. :o)

A Light In The Darkness

My almost three-year old has recently refused to go to sleep without her light on in her room. I don't particularly like the idea of the light on all night, since I think it interferes with her sleep. So, we went out and got her a night light. However, the last few nights there has been a recurring trend when we put her to bed. When we go to turn her night light on, we discover that it is missing. At some point during the day, our smart little cookie removes it from the wall and takes it apart. She then hides the light bulb, cover and the part that plugs into the wall, somewhere in her room. We end up finding it once she is asleep, plug it in and turn off her light.

Anyway, my hubby just came downstairs after checking on our sleeping miss with the night light pieces in hand, to show me that he found it and once again it was hidden in her dresser drawer.

I immediately thought of the Bible verse
"See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness."Luke 11:35 (New International Version)

I then asked myself if I don't sometimes do a similar thing my little miss does, in that I don't always show my light through my thoughts and actions. Do I sometimes allow myself to hide my light?

According to Luke 11:34, My eye is the lamp of my body. When my eyes are good, my whole body also is full of light. But when my eyes are bad, my body also is full of darkness. What things have I let in today that has dimmed my light? What images on television? What words in my email? What stories on the internet?

My little miss takes apart her night light so that she doesn't have to use it in the darkness. Am I interfering with and manipulating my light so that it isn't able to shine to its full power?

Eph 5:8-14a Once you were "darkness", but now as Christians you are "light". Live then as children of the light. The light produces in men all that is good and right and true. Let your lives be living proofs of the things which please God. Steer clear of the fruitless activities of darkness; let your lives expose their futility. (You know the sort of things I mean; to detail their secret doings is too shameful to mention.) For light is capable of showing everything for what it really is. It is even possible for light to turn the thing it shines upon into light also.