Just Say No- March 1, 2007

Just say NO! For the Love of all that is decent and good. If you are loosing your hair please just say no to....comeovers, swirls, parts by your ears.

Either go for the shaved look, or cut it low! Be proud!!

Okay I feel better now!

:)

Raising Blobal Girls - February 28, 2007

Today is my anniversary! John and I have been married for nine years. Yesterday while staying home with Emma (who had pink eye- another blog subject) I got an early anniversary gift.

Let me give you some background on this.

I had a great friend tell me that when her girls were younger she encouraged them to read by paying them so much per book. I have a hard time getting Emma to read. She is VERY motivated by money and loves earning it. I told she will earn .50 for every book SHE reads to me. So yesterday AM I was awakened with Emma jumping on my bed with two books. One was the ABC book I made for her which is just that- It has the ABC’s in it, and the other is a book called “Five little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”. (Which she BTW was demonstrating while I was awakening) ?.

She said I have two books to read to you. So she sand through her ABC’s and then sang the song of 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed. She said I need my money now. I said well I will remember that I owe you a dollar. She said “Yahoo, Now I have enough money to buy a box girl.” “A box girl?” I questioned. “Yes!” she responded. “The ones that we have been praying for.”

I thought back to how I was telling the girls that we should be thankful for our home, food, and clothes that there are kids overseas that live in boxes, and have nothing etc. They don’t even have Moms and Dads t help them etc. We pray for those children that they will learn about Jesus. We also prayed that Jesus would protect them (in their boxes –added by Emma).

I suddenly swallowed back tears as I began to thank the Lord for a sensitive little five year old who was willing to give her money to others. I was raised after all in missions. That was my biggest fear. Getting married, living in the states, having kids who were land locked and who did not have a vision for the world. She had proven me wrong.

I looked back at Emma (who was still bouncing on my bed in her pink heart Pajamas). I said we can start saving up money if you would like. She said yes, and that she would even sell a couple of her pet shops if we needed more money. ?

Thank you Jesus for helping me to raise Global Girls. May they remain sensitive to HIM!

Living on the Edge-February 26, 2007

Even though pressure is great...HE will sustain us!! :)
Be strong and know you are sheltered in HIM today!

Character remains consistent even when adversity is at hand- February 20, 2007

Okay so I saw this picture today and had to laugh...as it went along with my Bible Reading Today...which you may not concur....but it is my blog :)

I was reading today about Joseph in the prison. Clearly if anyone had a "right" or reason to have a pity party he had a free pass for years to come. But we find him in the prison....asking prisoners how they are doing...

Genesis 40:6-7 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, "Why are your faces so sad today?"

So here he is…with a killer excuse as to why not care about others…but we find that he is caring for and serving others. If you are going through adversity in your life- True Godly Character- reaches out to help and serve others. We see that through his extremes Joseph’s character remained the same. The challenge in serving HIM is not to face battles, for each one of us will face them- it is how they will affect our Godly Character.

Some days you have to sit back and say…Thank you Jesus for testing my character today…for I hope to prove you strong. Then just sit back on your porch eat a bag of popcorn, drink a whole can of diet coke, and just smile. Cause baby your next address is fellowship with the KING!

This blog was not sponsored by the rubber duck society or Coca Cola International.

BTW notice how cute my beak looks even under pressure! You Go Girl!

Short and Sweet February 15, 2007

People who live in glass houses....Shouldn't throw stones...

Kisses!!

Today's Grad... D- February 9, 2007

First of all I realize that this picture is crooked---and yes, I would straighten it out if I could...but I can't. I should be happy to have even kidnapped it off of Karyn (Gumby's)page. I loved it so much as it reminded me of my morning. Normal Mothers wake up at 6:00 AM and sing while they get their shower and then tiptoe into their "angels" rooms to get them up and ready for school. Right -reality check. I have been going ninety to nothing lately. I had a proposal do, and 1000 other things… added to the fact that I have been fighting off the flu and cold all week. This morning I had hit the snooze no less than 5 times. Wednesday Night I had gotten to bed at 1:30 AM and I was still tired. I jumped (okay hobbled) out of bed at 6:35 AM. IF and that is a big if the girls are to make it to the bus they have to be out the door at 6:40 AM. That was not going to happen. I quickly showered and realized that some one had eaten the last bar of soap so washed with shampoo. Yes, that is where the fruity smell is coming from as I walked into the office today.

I called to my five year old to come and get her hair done to realize she is still walking around in Seanna's size 10 PJs on her tiny size 5 body (she had a belt on the pants to keep them up??) She was screaming that she could not get ready as she had a nose bleed. She at this point had about 1/2 of a roll of TP on her nose and was trying to show me the blood. If you don't know me you won't realize that I have the weakest stomach east of the Mississippi. I ran to the other side of the bathroom (okay stepped three steps) and started gagging. I told her to lie on the bathroom floor and wait for it to stop.

I then called for Seanna my 7 year old to get her hair done. She walks up stairs with her coat on, and her jean skirt that she wore yesterday and a shirt that looked like it came from the bottom of a 400 lb laundry basket. To say that it was wrinkled would be like saying a pig enjoys a spattering of mud on occasion. I told her that she had to wear something else and that her hair was not done and not going to be in a headband today. She got another shirt and I raced to get Emma off of the floor to get her clothes on. I found two slightly matching pieces of clothing and tights. I told her to put them on.

Seanna now emerges with a new shirt on same old skirt. I ignore the skirt and try to praise the shirt (yes, she has put the coat back on as well) I rush her to my Bathroom and do her hair. I asked her if she has brushed her teeth. She rolls her eyes at me and says no. I immediately said don't you roll your eyes at me or give me that look. You have just added two days on to being grounded (that grounding story is another whole blog).

She then starts crying and saying she is sorry etc. I ignore it (being the mean Mom that I am) and tell her to go and brush her teeth. She is going so fast out of the bathroom that the hairspray is not hitting her head. I wheel her back in to try to get a couple droplets onto her head region.

Emma now walks in fully dressed in her outfit and she has put on her penguin slippers. She informs me that she is the prettiest princess in the world and that she was a fashion model and was "in demand". I asked her where she had heard that as I brushed her hair. She melted into tears as she did not understand how she could love me so much (drama queen alert) and how could I pull her hair so much when I put in her pony tails.

I told her to get her shoes/coat/and book bag that we were running late. It was now 7:12 and we had to leave at 7:15 to get to the school on time. I run downstairs to find my husband sitting in a chair drinking milk. HOW DARE HE? Did he not know that it was insane upstairs? Did he not know that I needed help? Did he not feel my stress? (If you can’t keep up the answer is no to all three questions).

I told the girls to run to the garage and get into the car. Joe the dog (who I called dumb- yes I did) ran into the garage. I pushed him back into the house as the girls shoved each other into the car. I got to school parked in the teacher's parking lot and ran the kids to the car line. I told them to run as the cars stopped to let out students. The line monitor gave me the “you’re a disgusting parent who is breaking all rules” look as I told the girls “Mommy loves you have a good day.” Seanna turned around and her look said it all. Who is this cheerful person who is telling us to have a good day?

I got into my car and cried. Who was this crazed woman that I had become this morning? To make myself feel better I pictured the Proverbs 31 Woman in my head and hurled a handful of hot-sticks at her head. After all…. she had servants that helped her. I couldn't even find a bar of soap.

The hour and 10 minute drive served as a time of reflection. I began to ask the Lord to forgive me of my harshness. You see once again my lack of organization, MY laziness, my frustrations, had caused me to lash out at the very ones who I love the most. These are the ones that I would give it all up for. The ones who make me smile like no other. Those are the ones that I have inflicted the pain upon. As I drove into the parking lot at work I felt like a foolish 3 year old who had fallen off of the see-saw again. I prayed for my heavenly father to pick me up, brush off my knees and put a band-aid on my pain.

You see I am responsible to HIM for the upbringing of these two precious girls! I have to instill Godly Character in them. Today’s Grade in Mother-hood. D- (I did say Mommy loves you after all). Tomorrow I am aiming for an A

This Blog was not sponsored by Proverbs 31 Ministry or staff. No children were harmed in the frantic morning rush. No animals were harmed in the making of this blog...one wiener dog was pushed into the house while trying to escape his environment !

Swimming Up-Side Down February 7, 2007

Some weeks we feel like we are swimming up-side down...and the cat has his head in our tank drinking all of our water!

This past week has been amazing. It appears that the flood gate of small insignificant trials has been opened. One small trial- not a huge deal at all. Many small trials- a tad bit frustrating.

Looking over the past and at life cycles in general- this usually occurs before a great victory- So today as I headed out to work land...I began to thank the Lord for the great victory that he is bringing to my life!!

Sunday Night's Service was as usual-incredible. Pastor Watts was talking about the our spiritual tents being expanded. He spoke on the lines, poles, stakes. That we are expanding our boarders- but the stakes remain the same. Our foundation remains firm!

Amazingly enough when I was at the alter the Lord really opened my mind's eye to my life. Let me preface this by saying If you know me at all you will realize that I am pretty much a private person. I can joke with the best of them about anything but don't indulge a lot about things going on in-me.

Well Sunday night it was as though I saw myself in HIS eyes...but the funny thing is ...I was not powerful at all I was pathetic! I was running around with this huge clunky amour on that I had put up to protect myself. It was like seeing David in Saul's amour. I was so tiny but looked so funny as I was running around in circles and not getting much done. I looked over to the right and saw the most peaceful place you can imagine. It was a gentle river that ran along-side a green grassy pasture. On the right there was a bench that HE was bidding me to sit next to him. To sit in the peaceful place I had to take off the entire clunky-ill fitting amour. I hesitated. I had the choice of sitting in that heavenly spot- or "protecting" myself with my amour. Piece by piece I laid it down at his feet. I felt scared, alone, intimidated, what if he did not like what he saw under all of this? I slowly sat. When I sat down next to him it was the most peaceful experience I have ever had. I did not want to leave that place. I was just being still in HIS presence.

The only reason that I am sharing this with you is this. We tend to feel that we have it together. We are running around trying to defend ourselves, trying to do the best we can, trying to protect ourselves from hurt, and our attempts are feeble at best. HE is our protection, our strength, our wisdom, our direction, our provider, our peace giver.

So today- Instead of swimming upside down- sit in that quiet spot next to him. All he wants is you. He wants you close to his side so that you can spend time, laugh together. What you will get after you lay it all down? A peace that truly does pass all understanding.

When you are with HIM- everything else seems insignificant.

There is a song that has been on my mind all week:

Refresh me oh Lord with living water
Refresh me oh Lord I pray
Cleanse and make me new
My heart belongs to you
Open up the fountain of your grace
Refresh me Lord I pray.

May you find your refreshing in HIM today- If you feel like you are seeing life up-side down- Get out of the pond and sit for a spell. HE is waiting on you!

Smile and the World Smiles With You- February 2, 2007

Okay so it is back to work and back to school today. I am waiting for the phone call that the phones are forwarded back to my office and off of my work phones. How many days have I had a horrible day just because of MY attitude. I remember someone telling me that you can either see the clouds or the sun (while going through a hard time). Today I choose to see the SON! I hope I reflect him daily.

On Monday I am starting my 21 days to greatness challenge (yes I am freak I make these challenges to myself) that I am going to get up extra early and have my devotional time then and not at the end of the day. Not that anyone reads my EC page- or my blogs. But if by chance you do...and want to join my 21 days to greatness challenge email and I will be happy to have company in the journey!

God is beyond amazing and he blesses my socks off. Gotta Run- Work IS CALLING!

BTW What is this train smiling at? This blog was not sponsored by Thomas the Train or any of his relatives or friends!

The Case of the Cookies- February 1, 2007!

Okay...So it is a snow day...and I thought… what would Betty Crocker do on a snow day? Make Chocolate Chip cookies of course.

Well I ain't no Betty Crocker. This can further be explained when I tell you what took place this past fall at my mother’s house. My Mother was making homemade cookies. My 7 year old said what are you doing Nana? She said- Making cookies. Seanna then questioned- Where is the tube? I at that point was praying for my personal rapture after going to the" I am an unfit mother" section of my brain.

Well today- I got out my cookbook that my Mother and Sister in Law made for me. I headed straight to the Choc. Chip cookies page. I remembered in the back of my head that my Mom always doubled the batch. I thought of the company that we are having on Sunday and said- why not- double the batch? Now at this point any other cook would have looked at the recipe and realized my mother had doubled it for me already.

I did not know that 4 1/2 cups of flour and 3 cups of sugar is enough to feed an army in itself. So I got past my "Math is hard" fit and doubled the ingredients. Surely 9 cups of flour and 6 cups of sugar would be perfect. Which for those of you who like me are not up to the bakers of heaven level -this means I am now dealing with a quadrupled batch of cookies. I starting feeling good about my decision after my 6 sticks of butter, 6 eggs, and 6 teaspoons of vanilla; cooking could be fun.

Then the time came to add the dry ingredients. Wow, I thought- 9 cups of flour looks like a lot. Oh well. Then I come to my first blunder- I added baking soda instead of powder. Ever the Nancy Drew- I re-read my recipe in the snip of time finding I needed to scrape off the baking soda and add the powder. Who keeps baking powder in their kitchen anyway? Not me-other than the box that was keeping away odors in the fridge. I prayed that it had not absorbed too many onions, garlic cloves, or peppers. I cut the top off the box and measured 3 tsp. At this point I was glad the film crew from “Cooking and how it takes over your day” was not here today. Although I am sure that today’s session would have made it to the DVD box set.

I now take the "dry" ingredients and try to mix it to the "wet" ingredients. Hmmm. The bowl was already full, but I had a huge bowl of flour etc to add. So I tried anyway. In the futures, when things look too full-do not proceed. It does not fit. Step away from the mixer.

I now called on John who was working in the living room. I explained to him that maybe I had quadrupled the recipe and that I needed him to get the huge “trick or treat” plastic bowl down from the top of the cabinets. (That is why you marry tall folks not a stretch when you are 6'8")
He gave me the bowl and a "you are too weird for words" look. I put the flour and the other batter in the bowl. I went for my trusty "hand mixer" this is great I thought. I have a solution.

When you think you have a solution- you don't necessarily have one. The bowl was deep and my mixer was little. I began to spew cookie batter on the fridge, my shirt, the sink, Joe the dog, the floor, it was snowing batter. John at this point (being ever helpful) tells me not to pull it up- keep it down in the bowl. Really I think? At this point I am wanting to whip some at him! (did I say that?)

I am now thinking I will never get the flour and the sugar to blend, nor will I ever have cookies. I poured a bag and 1/2 of choc. chips into it, and some nuts (whose measuring now- I may have baked bricks of lard for all I know) and prayed for the best. My girlfriend called and I told her about it. She was laughing so hard she had to put the phone down and run to the bathroom. I told her that is what she gets for having three children and no bladder control.

I eagerly awaited the timer to go off. How could 9 minutes be so long? The kitchen looked a mess but smelled great. At the sound of the timer I eagerly opened the door of the stove. They looked normal...they smelled normal. Okay this was going to be okay. I let them cool on a rack. I pulled a little cute one off the rack and shoved it into my mouth! A taste of heaven...they were wonderful.

Now 11 batches later (and still counting) two neighbors are filled with my cookies and I am still going. Hmm. I am beginning to see how then felt in the Bible when they had to gather the jars for the oil. These things sure do multiply.

Maybe that's why I usually cook cookies from a tube!

BTW this blog was not in any way sponsored by Betty Crocker. No animals were harmed in the writing of this blog; however a dog did get cookie batter splattered on his back!

I have to run the timer is going off!!

Get Back to the Barn-January 31, 2007

Happy Wednesday I have had no coffee- you have been warned! Seanna is sick with an ear-ache and at home. So I am at home today!! I have a 1000 things I could be doing...so I am avoiding work by going on the Internet. Kind of like in college when you have a paper due, and you decide you have to sort your sweaters and your socks, and organize your bobby pins and put all of your q-tips in alphabetical order.

On the serious side of things. I am having a blessed week. God is soo good to us. It is like if church would get any better I might explode!! We just started Kids Prayer in the evening service. It is so wonderful to hear them praying out loud and participating. They are incredible. Tonight is Kids Church. What they don't know is that we are having a pepper ring eating contest. Spicy Night ahead saints!

I am excited about the GREAT things God has in store for the MK Ministries. We met this weekend with Brother and Sister Howell, and got some things firmed up. This week we should be launching our new website with the domain name of www.upwithmks.com I am excited about it!

Okay so my last note....and then I am heading to get somethings done. This picture I know is silly but stood out to me this AM. It kind of shows the way that some of us live. Here there is a whole barn of animals to play with -someone to help him ...and what is this cow dong? Standing alone? The funny thing is he will have 100 excuses as to why he is alone. The barn is too crowded, It's noisy in there, the other cows are such trend setters with their new bells, how can I compete? (although I must add his yellow bell is quite fetching)

How many times have we heard someone in church or out of church say I just feel so alone, and lonely. I just don't feel like I fit in etc. Well honey check your position. How far away from the barn are you? Your protection, direction, and security comes within the barn, and the Master Farmer's Hands!

This blog has been brought to you by Little People a division of Hasbro.

Love Life Fully Today- and get back to the barn!