Sometimes in our lives....

Hello, dear ones! I know I'm very sporadic over here; I'm sorry, but I'm glad you love me enough to come check once in a while. :)

Tonight, I read Beth Moore's blog, and had to come talk to you. :) Actually, to ask you a couple of questions.

If you're over 39, do you have someone younger than you that you kind of mentor, or encourage, or love on? Do you feel like that's an important thing for you?

If you're under 39, do you have someone in your life who does any of the above for you? Do you wish you had someone to do so, if you don't presently? How do you feel about approaching someone if you'd like that kind of relationship?

The older I get, the more I know how important this kind of relationship is - one that allows us to see someone older's walk, to share ours with them. to gain insight into their understanding of God that can only come with walking with Him.

I'm really blessed; I can look back on my life and see that I've almost always had that kind of person. Sometimes, they didn't have much choice - I was best friends with their son or daughter, I was appointed to them at church, I decided I liked them and they needed me to be around. :D

I'd love to hear what you're doing, what you think, how you FEEL. I'd also love to know where God's got you right now. Are you in a place where you really wish you could just let it all out to someone? Or are you in a place where you want to be His arms for someone, to help a younger person get through some of the - well, I'm going to call them "focus" issues. :D It's all where we place our focus, isn't it?

TALK TO ME. :D I love you! I really, really think this is an important issue, just as Beth does. I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Layers of my Heart

Hello, sweet friends! I hope you're still out there. :) If you keep up with me on Facebook, you know that life continues to be interesting. First, we're planning on living in Oregon six months of the year next year; a lot has to do with our health. God continues to open doors, so we'll see what happens! :) Second, I really feel led to go into counseling - and God's been really, really specific about it. GRIEF counseling. I'm excited, because I want Him to use me in His Body, but at the same time, there's a lot of different options to consider, and it's a bit scary. However, I KNOW if He brings me to it, He'll bring me through it! :D

I just felt led today to say that there are layers of me that no one but God knows. There are things I simply cannot share with another human being; not because I've done horrendous things to someone, but because the sharing of those things would be a breach of trust with someone else. And I will never do that. Still, those hidden layers get heavy sometimes.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am that HE hears me. That HE hears my heart cry out when it feels too heavy. When what I'm going through would be so much easier if I could just TELL someone, I CAN. And then, He whispers, blows through with His Holy Spirit, and dusts me off and puts me back on the path in His ability. Not mine; I know better. And when those times are blowing away, I can't help but tell Him, again and again, how grateful I am that He is capable of more than I'll ever need.

If you're there, I encourage you: tell Him. He is steady. he is capable. Everything else is shifting sand. Especially what you can do in your own ability, my friend. Give it to Him.

I love you! You are SO special. Be BLESSED today, dear one! Know He is holding you in His gentle arms!

From the Oregon Coast.... :D

Book review: THE SCROLL

Hi, everyone! I was glad to be able to read this book, THE SCROLL, to review!

You can read chapter one by downloading it here; the book is a Biblical archeology novel, and is based on Dr. David Chambers and an elite team who are brought in by a secret group to do specific, secretive, very special digs in and around Jerusalem.

Biblical archeology was a field I contemplated going into when I started college; the main thing that deterred me was the dig conditions - I hate sweating! :D I'm still very interested in the field, so when I got the chance to own and read this book, I jumped at it.

I'm not going to give away any of the plot to you (although you can find an excerpt here!); it's a VERY fast read, and the authors have really developed their characters and setting incredibly well. The intrigue keeps drawing the story forward; the archeological finds are the stuff of Biblical dreams, and the interpersonal dramas swirl around and draw you in deeper.

Here is a link to author Alton L. Gansky's website! And if you click here, you can learn more about Grant R. Jeffrey.

I really enjoyed this book. Although set slightly in the future, everything in the book is easy to believe could happen today. There was only one spot where the information the authors needed to get out to the reader came across as an unlikely dump to characters who would already know the information. (As a side note, I don't recall finding any typos in the book, which is highly refreshing!) If you enjoy a bit of a mystery, history, technology, relationships, and insight into Israel, you won't want to miss this book!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I got it as an ebook, and it worked beautifully on my Kindle Fire!

Be blessed, dear friends! I'm going to be doing lots of reading this trip! :D

A Cheerful Heart!

Hi, sweet friends! I don't have any photos to share right now; I'm waiting to see if my hard drive comes back to me. I've been working on a laptop for three weeks now!! :D

I did want to share a really fun Biblical humor email I received - we all need more laughter in our life! :)

BIBLICAL HUMOR

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany ?
A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah - He was floating his stock while everyone else was
in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile
and drew out a little prophet.

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also,
probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one
Accord.

Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no
longer lived in Eden ?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in
the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.

Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark ?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck. (Groan .....)

PS. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make coffee? Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . .. . "He-brews"

Bound to come some troubles!

(Don't forget: you can see the picture at its original size if you click on it. :) )

I know it's been a long time since I really said much about anything. Honestly? I know that there are several of you who don't agree with me about some things, and I don't want to become a stumbling block to you. The truth is, the Holy Spirit has us all at different places in our lives, learning different things - and sometimes, taking a belief out of "storage" and really examining it to see WHY we believe it is painful. But that same Spirit that's in me is in you; there's a love that cannot break. So, when I need to post something, I will. :)

Many of you are my friends on Facebook; at this moment, there's a huge outcry over the Casey Anthony verdict. Now, I didn't follow the trial; no matter the outcome of the trials, those sorts make my heart sad, and it is hard to remember Where my JOY comes from and reclaim it. But I understand that everyone watching the trial seems to not doubt her guilt.

There are so many different reasons why the outcome was what it was. The truth is, it's all in God's hands now. Don't expect the justice system to get any better; as our pastor says, it's a system OF THIS WORLD. And as such, it cannot help but be flawed. It's run by humans for humans and about humans. As we all know, being human is pretty much the example of "flawed"!

I don't know how many of you know of Rich Mullins, of his life and his music. I had a personal connection with Rich, and Kenn started his Christian life listening - devouring, almost! - all of Rich's music. If you will listen to this song, and watch the slide show, I hope and pray the peace of the One Whose love you can always, always trust in will comfort your heart and surround you.

I love you. I will always love you. Turn your eyes to Him, dear one, no matter what your situation or circumstance - He loves you more than anyone can fathom. BE BLESSED.

Have you found YOUR tomato?

Please note: This is written by Kenn and I - he's the one talking throughout. :D I'm really excited to see where this leads - I feel God annointing it! So. Have you?

Not long ago, I posted a story on Facebook about how God provided a small but tasty miracle for me in the Kroger parking lot. We received many great comments about the story, and Lori and I believe that many of you have similar stories to tell. (For your reference, if you have not heard the story, it has been posted at the end of this message.)

I feel that I need to "invest" this story of God's providence, and the dividend I am looking for is the testimony of His provision and blessing in your lives. I know that God has touched all of you at one time or another, and we want to hear about it!

Lori and I would like you, our friends, to send us your stories. We have opened up a separate email account for this purose; it's myfoundtomato@aol.com Please email your stories to us there. If you send your story, you are agreeing to allow us to use it for a book! We're going to see if we can find a publisher for this project.

I attend a men's group from our church that meets early Tuesday morning. We spend an hour together; we worship, praise God, and then listen to a testimony from one of the men who attends. This week it was our worship pastor, Pastor Wayne, who had just returned from Africa.

This year, Pastor Wayne has been encouraging us as a congregation to be "sensitive" to the daily miracles that God provides for us. To emphasize this, he told a remarkable story of such a miracle that happened on this trip to Africa . Then our missions pastor, Bruce, told us of a small "miracle" that he had witnessed this week as well. Both of these events could be classified as divine appointments.

I do believe that God is at work in our lives constantly and continually. In the rush and hurry of our lives, we often overlook these workings, or sometimes even put them in the "luck" column; when something "bad" happens to us we either blame our bad luck or blame Satan. We rarely see how God is using even our misfortunes for our good.

The photo above is from the Nashville Farmers Market. I think tomatoes are one of God's miracles! Imagine: a seed placed in the ground has all the instructions in it to produce these lovely fruits. The seed lies next to its neighbor, is nourished by the same earth, watered by the same rain or irrigation, and basks in the same sun as its neighbor - but soon it's a tomato, not a cucumber.

Anyway . Tuesday afternoon, after The Gate, Lori and I meet for a rare movie event (rare because movies cost money and we have very little!). After the movie, we decided to save money on the day by eating at home instead of eating out, as was our custom before poverty. I would grill hamburgers, and we had some precut French fries in the freezer. I asked Lori if we had a tomato, but she said no; tomatoes were hard to come by - and, if you came by them, they have been really expensive.

Lori and I went our separate ways, and I decided to run over to Krogers to see what a couple of dollars could buy in produce. I was thinking maybe a grilled zucchini, or something similar.... I parked the car in the Kroger lot and was calling Lori to let her know where I stopped, when I looked down.

There, right in front of me in the Kroger parking lot, was a tomato. A beautiful, ripe, pristine tomato, no dents, no bruises; so perfect I could use it in a photo shoot, and it was right there in front of me.

I picked up the tomato and looked around to see if I could find who may have dropped it. With no one even close, I returned it to the car and thanked God for this little but greatly-appreciated miracle.

Synchronicity

Hello, my friends! I'm so glad you're here today! :)

Today, I want to chat a bit about synchronicity. Yeah, it's a big word. :D Use it in conversation sometime - it's worth at least 25¢!:D

What the heck is it? I'll give you Dictionary.com's definition, and then you'll STILL wanna know! :D

The state or fact of being synchronous or simultaneous; synchronism.
Coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related, conceived in Jungian theory as an explanatory principle on the same order as causality.

OK. So the way I'm using it is that one of the ways I know God's telling me to pay attention, that He's trying to say something to me, is by the same subject or Scripture coming up in two or more places.

Has that happened to you? It's happened to me - and actually to both Kenn and me! - a lot in the past year. We'll talk about something in Sunday school, then walk into church and hear something that goes hand-in-hand with that discussion. And it's not something that could be planned - we're walking through John in Sunday school, and our sermon series this year is on Heroes of the Faith; we're just beginning Moses. (There's another example of synchronicity for you! One Bible study I'm doing talked a bit about Moses, God gave me that post on Moses [scroll down!], and now we're studying Moses at church!)

It simply amazes me when God does this. :) I love knowing that He's guiding my thoughts to what He wants me to think about, He's telling me He's right here with me. It's a comfort knowing that I don't have to wonder what I'm supposed to be looking for, that He's showing me rather obviously. :D

Have you experienced this? How does it make YOU feel? What's He talking to YOU about? I want to know! :)

Be BLESSED, dear one. I'm so grateful that you're in my life! God LOVES you. He has a purpose for you, a plan to bless your heart. My prayer today is that you'll be super-sensitive to His leading, and all the little things He pours into your day to show you how much He loves you.

What a walk we're on!

Hello, dear ones! I'm so glad you came to be with us today. :) It's a glorious day here in middle Tennessee; it's rapidly warming up, and the plants are growing at an almost-visible pace! It's amazing!

Today, I'd like to follow Moses on an interesting journey. I hadn't seen it before, but God opened my eyes in an unrelated Bible study a week or so ago, and I wanted to share what He showed me!

The first place I want us to look at is Exodus 3:6:
Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Do you see what I see? So far, what we know about Moses is that he was the baby in the basket on the Nile who Pharaoh's daughter adopted. He was raised as a prince of Egypt, given the best of everything - including education.

At the age of 40, he was fleeing for his life because he murdered an Egyptian overseer, thinking he was doing a good thing for his people.

Now, at the age of 80, we find him leading his sheep across the desert. Talking to a bush.

:D

Anyway, back to the verse! Moses HID his face. He was afraid to look at God, even though God was in the form of an unconsumed, burning bush. He's not afraid to tell God no, however! God tells hime what he's going to do, and Moses says, "But, God...!"

For a whole chapter, God gives Moses signs and wonders, and Moses gives God excuses. (Hmmmm. Sounds familiar in my own life.) Finally, a whole chapter later, it says, "Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses..." (Ex. 4:14) Does anyone else see the humor in this? Or is it just me? The burning bush is now burning with anger! Oh, Moses.

But God leads Moses through a LOT in Egypt, growing his faith and his obedience. Know how I know? Because of our next Scripture!

Exodus 33:18:
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."

This SO excites me! In less than 30 chapters - but a WHOLE lot of walking out what God tells him to do! - Moses goes from being afraid to see God, to ASKING to see God.

What a journey! What a change of heart! What do YOU think had changed? I think that Moses had gone from not wanting to draw attention from the Most High to knowing that He loved him, little Moses, who had screwed up own his life. That Moses had learned that God was going to see him through this journey. That God kept His promises. That Moses had decided that he was sticking with God, earnestly seeking His presence.

Can you IMAGINE seeing God's glory?? Not just the EVIDENCE of it, but the glory itself?

But there's one more Scripture to look at, one more step in this journey. It makes me weep.

Numbers 12:6-8:
...he said, "Listen to my words:
"When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.

⁷ But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.

⁸ With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?"

Oh, dear one! This is GOD speaking about Moses! The Creator, the Most High, El Elyon - says He speaks face to face with Moses.

Does this give you hope for your own walk? Where do you fall on this "spectrum" today? Are you hiding from God? Are you asking God to reveal Himself? Or are you seeking to be intimate with Him, speaking face to face?

Moses made a lot of mistakes in his life. He wasn't perfect, by a long shot. But God loved him, walked with him, and talked to him. Face to face.

I stand in awe, and thank God for showing me Moses. Because He showed me that, no matter where I fall on that spectrum of my walk with Him, I'm walking. And some day, I will see Him face to face.

Be encouraged, dear one. God LOVES you. No matter where you are, He'll meet you. He met Moses. He called to Moses. He's calling to you.

Even if you hide your face, LISTEN.

Posting about SHE SPEAKS! conference....

Hi, dear ones. Perhaps you've noticed the Proverbs 31 Ministries link in my sidebar; have you ever gone to check it out? Well, they have a conference yearly for speakers and writers called SHE SPEAKS - and I've made that a link to their home page.

Why am I writing about it this weekend?

Well, for a long time, I've gone through a dry spell where I haven't had a dream, or any real goal. I have been waiting patiently, pleading with God to make this area of my life come alive again. It's not fun just walking in the dark! Can I get an AMEN? :D

In the last two weeks, an old desire has started again. I'm still waiting to hear clarification, but that desire is for women's ministry. I don't know if it's going to be speaking (I MISS public speaking!) or writing here on my blog (and I KNOW y'all would appreciate a little consistency on my part.... :D). All I know is, God's lit that desire again.

And where He leads, He provides the way. I know that 100%. So this post is my way of giving Him the chance! :) I'm entering for a scholarship to the conference this year. I'm not even sure which track I'd want to go through - speaking, writing, and women's ministry! All places I feel tugs! :D

Since most of you know our financial situation, I'd like to ask that, if you feel led, you join me in praying that, ONLY if this is His will, He will open doors. If you feel led, I'd love to have you ask Him to start to focus that desire - I'm not going to take a step without Him moving me! He's gotta go before me, or I'm not going! :D And if I do happen to get a scholarship, there will be the expenses to cover - more prayer!

If you would like to learn more about getting a scholarship, please visit Lysa's blog at this post!

I can't WAIT to see what God's going to do. He is SO good; I want to be used to touch women's hearts for Him.

Thank you for your prayers, for reading this, and for walking in expectation of His moving with me! :) I love and appreciate each one of you. God loves you, dear one, SO much. I pray that you'll know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God's surrounding you with His loving arms. Rest in HIM, dear one! BE BLESSED!

It's been too long. :)

Please forgive me for seeming to drop off the face of the earth where this blog is concerned. I think I've kept in touch with most of you personally. I started this blog to be able to communicate about the daily struggle of being a Godly woman, and haven't posted in two months! I do ask your forgiveness. I lost my message for a while - but then, I realized, we ALL do sometimes. Sometimes God changes our message, or we refuse to listen to the message He wants us to share (as a wise woman admitted in her study last night at church!:D)

So, I might as well jump right in with a tough subject, right? :D

I've been feeling lately that I'm sleepwalking through my personal walk with Jesus. Let me tell you what I mean, and I hope you'll share whether I'm crazy :D, whether you've gone through something like that yourself, or whether something in your spirit is testifying the truth of what I share.

I read my Bible. I read devotionals online. I read REALLY great stuff that's being written by my friends and contemporaries.

I pray. I pray with my husband. I pray throughout the day. I do devotions with my husband.

I listen to praise music. I sing praise music - and worship music. I sit in stillness and try to listen.

I minister. I help my friends. I give them tough love and we have real communication about what God wants.

And some days, it's GOOD. Some days, I feel GREAT about where I am, what I'm doing, and what God's using me for.

And yet.

There are MORE days when I don't feel like I'm moving. When I feel NOTHING. When I know God is moving, and moving ME, but I'm not being MOVED. Does that make sense?

Like I'm sleepwalking through when I should be WIDE AWAKE. Like I'm not engaged in what God is doing to me or through me.

Or is that the way it's SUPPOSED to be? Am I being a vessel, poured out and used by Him?

So tell me, dear one. Does this strike a chord for you? Which do you think it is? And can you give me some Biblical backing for what you think?

The picture of the cat, above, is one I dearly love. I took it in Kalama, WA, outside a little restaurant. It's one of the prettiest places that's not directly on the ocean that I know of. :D This cat was sleeping on the handrail outside the restaurant. He wasn't phased by ANYTHING or ANYONE. He was content, comfortable, fed, and on his own turf.

But I don't want to be found SLEEPING. I want to be awake, alert, and AWARE. So talk to me!!! :)

Burnt Stones

Psalm 149
1 Praise the LORD.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
4 For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
and a double-edged sword in their hands,
7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters,
their nobles with shackles of iron,
9 to carry out the sentence written against them.
This is the glory of all his saints.
Praise the LORD.

I had the honor and privilege of meeting Kent Henry this weekend. If you know songs like WHEN I LOOK INTO YOUR HOLINESS, ALL HAIL KING JESUS, or TAKE ME IN (to name just three!!!), you've been touched by him in some way. He's going to churches everywhere, teaching about worshiping. I can't encourage you enough: if your church does a weekend with Kent, or he's nearby, GO. You will be blessed beyond measure!

Kent has a passion to bring back "burnt stones" to the Body. Here's the reference:

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?"--Nehemiah 4:1-2

I think a lot of my friends online would qualify more as burnt stones than as living stones. :) Burnt stones are the people who used to be active in church - serving, teaching, singing - but they got "burnt out" or wounded along the way. And so they're not assembling with the saints anymore, for one reason or another.

We came quite close to this last summer, I think. If we hadn't gone when God said GO to our new church, I don't know if we would have WANTED to be in church anymore. GOD IS GOOD!

If you're one of my burnt stone friends, please know this: I LOVE YOU. And I'm sad you were wounded, however it happened. I'm sorry you got burned out. When we base our service on performance instead of Presence, it's bound to happen - and it's HARD to find that place!!

Please know: God has a place for YOU, too. It's so easy to just stop going to church. It's another whole day that you can rest. But it's not all about what feels good, is it? :) God's got HIS BEST for you, my dear friend. I know you can worship Him "on your own", but DO YOU? If meeting with other Christ-followers wasn't important, God wouldn't have given us so much instruction on how to love one another. THINK ABOUT IT! :)

If you're a stone who has been restored or still lives, please reach out to the burnt stones in your life. Call them! Kent says to tell them these three things:

1. I LOVE YOU

2. I MISS YOU

3. IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN PRAY ABOUT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW?

Try it. I know there have been a LOT of times no one has reached out to me when I've been away for a long time. WE NEED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, NOT LIVE LONELY LIVES!!!!

OK. :) I'm done preaching today. :) I want you to know YOU ARE LOVED. But there's some responsibility in that, too - WE NEED TO LOVE EACH OTHER!

Be blessed, dear friend! I hope you'll leave me a comment?

Cool email I received today!

BE BLESSED!!! (It DOES actually make a bell, but it's too wide for any of Blogger's layouts. SO, if you want it, email me and I'll send it to you. :))

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14).

I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know Who you are!? Keep this bell ringing...pass it on 'The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you; The LORD turn His face toward you And give you peace..' Numbers 6:24-26

Who am I, anyway???

I realize that a lot of you don't really KNOW anything about me, so I thought I'd just introduce myself a little bit! :D

But what do you want to know?? Or DO you? :D

Let's see. I'm the oldest of three girls, all spaced four years apart. Neither one of them wish to be "outed" online, so I'll respect their wishes. :)

I've lived all around the US, in each region, I think. :) I LOVE the Pacific Northwest, and it would be my permanent home if I were given a choice. But no matter where I go, God brings wonderful, special people into my life. My friends are very important to me!

I really like to TRAVEL, as in go to far places on a plane. :D I am a homebody, though, and on any given day I'd rather stay home and work than have to go out someplace.

I've worked in a lot of different fields! That old saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none"? Yeah, that's talkin' about me. :) Honestly, I think the thing that still gives me the most satisfaction is teaching - but NOT what I've done in the school system. I LOVE teaching people when they want to learn - like what I do with rubber stamping and scrapbooking. I love to hear people's reactions when they realize they can do whatever we're working on, and it's pretty, and THEY did it!! :)

I have a BA in communications, emphasis in interpersonal comm - which perhaps explains why my relationships with friends are so important to me! My minor's English lit - one of those truly USEFUL degrees. :D Did all that in El Paso, Texas. :D I've done community theater for YEARS, both on- and backstage duties. I love to be onstage, but it's a bit difficult when you look like I do. ;D

I still keep in touch with one of my best college friends - HI, RHONDA!!!!!!! :) - and she, besides my family, has known me the longest on this planet.

My parents have called me "Pooh" since I was about three. I still collect Pooh, and wear Pooh, and am called Pooh. :D

Then there are my best friends from Ohio I used to do theater with, Karen and Joe. I still have wonderful, cherished memories of our times together, and need to do a better job of staying in touch with them. Karen's husband is also a diabetic, with serious health complications. If you could pray for Doug when you think of it, we'd all be so grateful!

I met Kenn on the Internet, back when the Net was still in its infancy. We'll be celebrating 12 years of marriage next month! If you'd like to read more about that, go HERE and then read some of our writings - links on the right side. Karna actually knows us from the old days when we first got together! :D

I have a beautiful stepdaughter, Kaisa. She's happily married to Jeff, and they live in California. Children are in the PLANS, but not the WORKS. :D

I'm a type 2 diabetic, with eye complications. Speaking of which, I have another laser surgery on the 28th of this month, if you happen to think and would like to pray for me! :) I struggle with my glucose levels, but I know Who's got ALL of me in the palm of His hand, so I try to rest there.

I grew up in a Christian home, accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 6. There have been times of real stagnance (?? is that correct???) - but also times of great growth. God has been calling me to go deeper in Him for a few years now, and I feel like He has planned for this blog to play a role in others' growth, as well.

If there's ANYTHING you'd LIKE to know about me, please don't hesitate to ask. God's brought me through a LOT of trials, and has taught me that praising Him regardless of my circumstances is what He truly desires from me. It's not always easy, but I CHOOSE TO DO SO! :) Sometimes, praising Him is a sacrifice of our desires and will.

So, ask away. :D Tell me about YOU!!! Post to your blog, and let me know you did so!!! I want to know you, my friend. I care about you! I know our Father loves you deeply - so deeply, we can't comprehend it. I also know He wants us to live in His love, and to deal with others from there!!!! :)

Don't forget to enter the drawing for the book - scroll down for details. :)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, dear one. Rest in Him!!!

SOOOOOOOOO blessed!

Have you ever felt so generally blessed that you couldn't put it into words?? That's how I've been feeling, ALL week. God is so awesome. He's blessed me businesswise in the past week, churchwise, and I'm just BLESSED. I have a wonderful husband who works hard to try and take care of me, I have wonderful friends who also protect me :) and who love me and laugh with me and praise God with me.

So, I have some challenges in my life. Don't we ALL?? Would we trade ANYONE'S burdens for our own? Nope, didn't think so. And you know what? Those challenges don't change who GOD is. They don't change His holiness, righteousness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or mercy! They may change ME - will I choose to use self-control? To allow Him to grow those awesome Fruit of the Spirit in me? To pursue holiness? Sure, it may STINK to be where I am at any given moment. But am I going to allow God to use it to GROW me?????

Wow. Not sure where that came from, but I think one of you must have needed to hear it, too! :)

OK. I didn't post yesterday - it's time to SHARE!!!!! What did YOU learn, either in church, Sunday school, from your private study, or from watching someone on TV? What is God saying to YOU???

We're continuing the series on HOLINESS at our new church. You know, if you'd like to hear any of our sermons, they're available online to download! Here's the link to the site! :) The series is the first three sermons at this point. A lot of GOOD HOLY WORD STUDY going on! It's making me thirsty again, my friends. I am sooooooooooo grateful!!!

Now, then. :) It's your turn! Share!!! And here's a picture for you to meditate on. :)

I can't wait to hear from you, dear one. God LOVES you. He's seeking YOU, He wants to know YOU face-to-face. Can you hear Him?

Oh, what a BEAUTIFUL day!!!

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow. What a GLORIOUS day it is here! The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and God is on His throne. I am SO blessed!

Yesterday was my friend, Angela,'s birthday. Last year I kind of started something - if you've followed my stampin' blog, you saw the results! :D - of getting to choose whatever we wanted to do for our birthdays, and Angela chose a mani/pedi party at a local salon with some dear friends who do that as a service.

Well, let me tell YOU! What a party we had. There's one person missing - Jennifer - who had to leave early and go to church. But the ones in the pink aprons, April and Melissa, are the ones who do the whole shebang. Then, to finish the top row, is Ang and Lori P. - whose birthday is the 13th of this month. Amy's kind of the middle row, and that's me and Cris P. on the bottom. SPA pedicures, followed by maincures - and all accompianied with petit-fors, brownies, muffins, and CHOCOLATE, coffee, and punch. Whew!!! The girls did SUCH a wonderful job! My toes and fingers all match! :D

After that, the five of us who HADN'T been working :D left for dinner, and I drove. One of Ang & Cris P.'s college friends, Ron, was working at Carraba's - so off we went. He treated us all like QUEENS!!! We had a great appetizer - thanks, Cris! - and a leisurely meal - and THEN Ron brought out a dessert for us to share, compliments of him. There were three different desserts on this one plate!! :D And the plate itself was covered with choclate and caramel. Do you think we enjoyed it? :D LOL!!!! And MY birthday is next. Decisions, decisions!!!!

OK. So, it's MONDAY. We're supposed to be sharing what we learned yesterday. It was a wonderful day at our church; it was Seniors Day, and they were honored in different ways - like getting to sing some of the OLD hymns, including one *I* had never heard before, but really like now, "Little Is Much, When God Is In It". We had a guest pastor whose sermon was titled that, and our music minister taught us the song. WOW, was it appropriate!!! The gist of it was: if GOD is in whatever you're doing, NOTHING is too small. One of his examples was the little boy who had brought his lunch when he came to hear Jesus speak. Five little barley loaves, and two little fish. A boy's lunch, nothing big definitely. But when Jesus blessed it and distributed it, it fed over 10,000 people, and there were LEFTOVERS!!!!!

I think I'd grown ambivilant about some of the stories. Yeah, it happened. But hearing it applied in this way - WOW. I never thought of it THAT way. It sure puts a lot of things into a different light. Each year, about this time - about a month before my birthday :D - I usually start feeling like my life isn't going anywhere, that I'm stuck in a rut. But you know what? I may not be doing GRAND things, but that doesn't mean my God can't MAKE them grand. All He wants is for me to give even the little things to Him to use and bless!

Sunday school was about Joseph again, this time about what his story has to say about relationships with others. I maintain again and again - and feel this is a GREAT example of what I say! :D - that you cannot change or prevent most things that happen TO you. The chance for SIN to enter is when YOU CHOOSE HOW TO RESPOND. Joseph could have been vengeful - he had over 20 years to think about what his brothers did to him - and he had a lot of opportunities, while he walked the plan out about bringing Benjamin to him, when he could have said, "Too hard. I want to PUNISH you for everything that's happened to me!" But he didn't. He's a very interesting character study, ladies!

OK. I've REALLY written a book today. :D I hope you had a great weekend, and your week is starting off beautifully. Go enjoy this moment that God has given you - and PRAISE Him for it!!!!

Wow, am I TIRED....

This has been a LONG road! I'm enjoying the last evening free THIS week, and next week we only have TWO nights - we have FOUR SHOWS next weekend. PHEW. But it's been a great experience - and we got a GREAT review from a local newspaper, so I've been beaming all afternoon. :)

I worked hard yesterday, and today it's all I can do to think straight - so I'm trying not to feel guilty for not doing too much! :)

What are YOU girls up to? I know Becky's on vacation with her family, and won't be back for a few days - lucky thing. :)

So, what's God saying to you lately? I have been simply AMAZED this year at how He's brought the world back to life almost overnight! The pear trees blossomed BEFORE the forsythia this year - that's unheard of! The underbrush is getting green quickly, as are the littler trees - we have one little crabapple tree that's leafing, and starting to bloom rather prettily! His handiwork never ceases to amaze me.

What about you? What's going on in your world? Are you being blessed? Or are you walking through a trial right now? May I walk with you? I'd love to pray for you.... Please, share. I care, and it's an honor for me to lift you to the Throne!

It's MONDAY!!!

Good morning, dear friend! How are you? How was your weekend?? Did you enjoy your time with family and/or friends? I thought our sermon yesterday was fantastic, and have been looking forward to sharing it with you. :)

It was called "Love Secrets" - the pastor was wrapping up a month of love sermons - but I honestly felt like it should be called "LIFE Secrets"; the principles allpy to everyday relationships, not just to "significant others". :)

First, referencing I John 4:16 & John 15:12, HOW TO PUT LOVE FIRST TO MAKE LOVE LAST.

I John 4:16: And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

John 15:12: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Pretty clear, right? :)

Second. WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE SO BECOMES SO. Ref: Proverbs 23:7: for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. I think this was the most unclear point reference for me! :)

Third - emphasis mine!:D - YOUR ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS! Ref: Matthew 17:20: He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Pastor was using this about your marriage: believe that your marriage is good. Don't be looking outside, comparing to other people. Believe YOUR MARRIAGE is everything you need, and it will become so.

Fourth - again, emphasis mine! :D - Happiness is a CHOICE. He used Matthew 5:5-6 as a reference - the Beatitudes - but I don't think that HAPPINESS, per se, if a fruit of the Spirit, and I think it's a secular belief that we have to be HAPPY. I don't see that Scripturally ANYWHERE - and I have a hard time believing some of the Biblical characters we esteem were happy in their circumstances. But we can be BLESSED in any circumstance - because we are BLESSED AND HIGHLY-FAVORED BY GOD! :)

Fifth, THE LOVE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE, YOU LOSE. Ref: Acts 20:35: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

So. There are days when I don't make the choice to BE blessed and highly favored. This is something God's been speaking to me a lot lately; dear friend, YOU are blessed and highly favored! Dont' accept the LIE that Satan is trying to sell you, that you're not worthy and that no one cares.

We are, indeed, blessed. We ARE highly favored. We are daughters of the everlasting God, Who is all-powerful. God is LOVE.

We are loved.

Have a wonderful day! :) I can't wait to hear from you!

Happy Thursday!!!

Good morning, dear friends! Forgive my absence yesterday; I was just having a ME day. :) Amy and I went out in the morning, and I took care of show business most of the afternoon. Kenn & I went to turn on heat in the theater space - it's FREEZING in there!!! - and then went to get some Chinese food for dinner. I'd been craving it since Monday. LOL!!

Anyway. Here I am! :) Aren't my flowers pretty??? They were left over from a production at the theater last weekend, and I was allowed to bring a few home. They're SO pretty, and smell sooooo good. There's just something luxurious about the way roses smell - and the feel of their petals, too. They've lasted all week - even the dreenery, which usually starts shedding its fronds. :) I've enjoyed them SO much!

Have you had a blessing like this one this week? Something that's small, but that continues to give you joy and/or pleasure? Share with me! :) I can't tell you how important it is to look for those things, dear one. God keeps putting things like this into our lives; it's one of His ways of showing you how MUCH He loves YOU. Have you enjoyed watching the birds at your feeder? Or watching the sun set? How about your child's hearty laughter? You're SURROUNDED by God's saying, "I love you! Take delight in what I've put around you - that's why it's there!"

So. :) There's a website called Fun, Crafts, & Recipes that, every Friday, puts out four food questions. I just found it, and want to start answering the questions! :D Here were last week's:

Here are this week’s four questions.
#1. Steak. Plain, steak sauce, hot sauce, ketchup or something else?

#2. Water. Flavored, plain, carbonated. How do you like it?

#3. What’s your favorite kind of waffle?

#4. If you could have any one new small appliance for your kitchen what would it be and why?

1. I like my steak with some A1 steak sauce. I always put some Worchestershire sauce, salt, & pepper on before we grill them, but I like the extra TANG of the A1. :)

2. Well, actually, I like the flavoring mix sticks you can put into your bottled water. My favorite lately has been Walmart's version of sugar-free Tang, the orange drink. :) I need to pick some more up, as a matter of fact.... :)

3. Gosh! I don't eat a lot of waffles. I love chocolate chip ones, of course. :) Maine blueberries are good, too. I also like IHOP's harvest grain ones. I'm really not picky! :)

4. Wow. Ummm....Maybe a fry daddy? We have a lot of great appliances already; if I didn't have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, THAT would be my choice - but I do. :D

Fun questions! I'm looking forward to the next set, coming out tomorrow. :)

OK, dear ones, I'm going to run. I have lots of work I don't want to do still waiting for me. :D I'll see you soon! PLEASE know you are loved; He's waiting to talk to you today. Have you had your conversation with Him?

It's Tuesday - and we have a WINNER!!!

It's GOAL DAY here on Wannabe!! :) That means we ALL check in with how we're doing on our goals - and if someone doesn't check in, I pull out my folder to check up on you. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!! Accountability works, darn it. :D

But before I do that, we had a giveaway on this blog last week; all anyone had to do was leave a comment. Kenn drew a random number, and the winner is....

Kelli, from THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Congratulations, Kelli! i've already been to Kelli's blog, to ask for her address. :) She has 5 photo cards and 15 handcrafted cards coming to her, as a thank-you for commenting, and reading. But THANK YOU to all of you - you're the reason I'm here! I LOVE YOU!

SO. On to today's business!!!!

My goals: office hours still aren't happening, and I'm becoming a little more OK with that. Our schedule, because of the nature of our businesses, doesn't loan itself to that. So, I do the best I can - and that will be sufficient, because God is. :D

Activity-wise, I'm still not being able to hit water aerobics like I want to - this play thing is starting to hit high gear, so I'm even busier with things! - but I am increasing my daily activities like walking, stair-climbing, etc. According to the experts, every little bit helps! :)

Bible-reading, I've at least started again! I'm still off my schedule, but I am going to catch up eventually. The important thing is that I haven't totally abandoned it - thanks, Damien. :)

SO, ladies! How are YOU doing? Nancy? What's this week's project to work on? Becky, how are things going at your house? I know a lot of your goals and priorities have changed since the beginning of the year.... Rhonda, how is your budget going? I'm VERY proud of you! :) Sheri? Deby? Are you still checking in? Judy? You here? Karen, dear one? I know the emotions have been tough lately. Are you OK?

OK, dear ones. I have a question for you: would it hurt terribly if we changed goal-setting day until another day of the week? Since no one seems to want to be introduced anymore ;), we have Wed., Thurs., and Saturday we could move it to - and that way, I could share pictures from the weekend before I forgot about them. ROFL!!!!

Have a wonderful, blessed, beautiful day. You know, I don't think it's up to me to be blessed, myself; it's up to me to be a BLESSING!!!!!!!!! Bless someone today, dear sister, and be amazed at how God turns it into a blessing for you!