Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

How I wonder what you are

Up above the world so high

Like a diamond in the sky

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

How I wonder what you are

We have sang this song since we were toddlers- But did you know that God calls you to twinkle? Twinkle? Are you kidding?

Look at Phil. 2:15

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

You are called to twinkle in this dark world. Whether you know it or not – HE is (or should be shining through you). You might say- but my batteries are low, I haven’t changed my bulb in a while, I don’t have the energy for this right now. YOU DON”T HAVE TO- It’s HIS LIGHT- not yours. (again- it’s not about you)

You are called to be an influencer- to your co-workers, to those you see in the grocery store line, to the lady who gives you coffee every day at Starbucks, to the children God has given you, to the people that you go to church with. YOU can make a difference in their life.

One of my all time favorite books is: Lifegiving: Discover the Secrets to a Beautiful life- by Tammy Maltby.

She talks about being a “Lifegiver” in your friendships, your home (hospitality) and making it a lifestyle.

So often times we are SO FOCUSED inward- about our problems, our situations, our hurts, our needs- we coop ourselves under a box- and refuse to shine-

TODAY- Get out there- fluff your hair and TWINKLE!!

It’s all about him !!!

Modern Day Miracle!

Here is a great testimony that my aunt and uncle told me last night!!

My uncle Allen was married before marrying my aunt Mary. He had a son named Jonathan. Jonathan has a daughter named Crystal- who is a single mom who lives in a trailer with a 5,7, and 9 year old.

On Friday night the 9 year old was staying with someone else. The 5 year old woke up and could not sleep. The mother put a video in for him and went back to bed. He found some matches and started playing with them. He started the wall on fire. He ran to tell his mother and she ran out with him- at this time the whole trailer was engulfed in flames. She looked to run back in to get the 3 year old and it was almost impossible for her to get in-again because this was a trailer they burn in minutes. She looked over on the side and there was her three year old sitting in the grass wrapped in a blanket. She ran over there and asked her how she got there. She said the man came and told me it was okay- that he was there to help me- and to not be afraid. Then he ran out with her and put her in the grass and left. She said who was the man? What did he look like? She said it was an angel Mom.

So needless to say they are not church goers or believers and they were in church on Sunday. God is able to help them. The Red Cross has given them a place to live for this week and the church there in Little Rock is helping them etc. We are believing the Lord for the whole family to be saved!!

But I thought how often do things like that happen today and we don't hear about it!! God is so gracious and good to us!!

Have a great day!!

All you need is a tissue box, some slips of paper, a pen, and you have a baby name!! 1/4/08

So Emma is very concerned about what we are going to name this baby. She had a bright idea coming home from the airport the other night. She told us that when we get home we need to take a tissue box- pull all of the tissues out of it- and everyone put in names into the tissue box that we like. We have to write a girls name on one side of the paper and a boys name on the other side. When we pull it out whatever name is on the slip is the baby’s name.

She was very proud of herself.

John said- Emma that is not going to work because you girls will put in names like Polly Pocket, Holly Hobby and then the baby will be stuck with that name. He let them know that He and I would work on a name for the baby.

She protested- we will only put in cute names. She looked at me and said do you like snowflake? (fresh off the sledding slopes)

I said- Well I don't know about that

Late that night she came into my room and said you know Mom- Polly is not that bad of a name! ?

Dream Big Emma- Dream Big!

Flurry of the Flurries- 1/4/08

So much for my sit and home-be bored-have an uneventful Christmas!!
That did not happen… I reminded myself of that as I drove into work today and felt like I had not been on break- but more like I had been broken ?.

My parents flew in for Christmas on Christmas Eve- We open gifts that night- Christmas Day Steve, Penny, and Zachary come over. Then that night we got the news about Grandma passing away.

Mom and Dad flew out early on Thursday- and we flew out early on Friday- we connected in St. Louis to be with them on that flight. We were supposed to have a one hour layover and had a four hour layover- can you say snow-and Minneapolis. So we got in at like 7:00 PM to Minneapolis after leaving Charlotte at 8:00 Am.

When we arrive we walk through the jet-way and it is like a ton of bricks hitting you in the face. It was 19 degrees (and I don’t think they added that up right) so that was like what? 470 below zero with the wind chill factor? We go to the rental car and they had let our min-van go because we were so late. So they offer us a 15 passenger van. Great you might think? Well that is because they don’t know that the females in the group are walking penguins and the step was like climbing Mount Everest.
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Let me also add a tad bit of my conversations with Emma for the day-
Mom-
Yes Emma
Look down
What Emma?
I think you stomach is getting bigger
Really?
You are huge already
Really? (Ready to hit her over the head with her “whatever” backpack)
Yes- how big is the baby? The size of my hand?
No Emma about the size of your thumb?
My thumb?
Yes
Then why is your stomach so huge?
I don’t know
You should have lost weight before this happened
DO YOU THINK???

Then She knows that I should not be drinking diet coke (Note to self do not tell Emma what I can and can not due while pregnant)
I order a diet coke on the plane and my six year old tells the flight attendant- she will have a water (then puts her hands around her mouth and proclaims) SHE IS 39 AND PREGNANT.

Great now that we have the planes attention- we can take off.

So we arrive at 9:30 PM at our hotel. The girls are enthralled-
The next morning…
There is snow as far as the eyes can see. They have a buffet breakfast in the am (like a cruise-ship but without any variety) and there is snow waiting to be leaped in.

They last about 45 minutes until they plead to get out into the snow.
I sent them out with John. They had no snow clothes- so they had tights/their PJs pants/skirts/PJ tops/swears/coats/gloves/hats on. They looked like two marshmallows.


We met my cousin for lunch, went to look at the old farm (where I was raised with my Grandparents), went Winona (neighboring town) and back to hotel.

The next day we went early to the funeral home to see my Grandma and then that day was the viewing and the funeral. It was a great turnout even in feet of snow. So many cousins, family friends, and church members came out. I had to speak- and made it through. I told of how fitting she went to be “home” for Christmas and that she always loved the season. I wished I could have been there for that great reunion.


Every region from the Foreign Missions Department sent arrangements along with my parents church, our church, and a lot of friends of the family. Brother Howell also came. So glad for my Mom as this was such a hard, hard day for her.

The church had a really nice dinner for everyone afterwards. I was amazed at how many people there were born when their Mom was over 40 or had a sibling when their parents where that age (yes- elderly pregnancy stories spread like wild fires in churches) Smile.


We wanted to do something “lighthearted” after the funeral so we took the girls to the sky slopes by the hotel. They got to see the kids going down the bunny hill at night – very cute- and the snowboarders. They both put away their ambitions of being a beautician or artist (Emma) or Schoolteacher (Seanna) and they are both going to be professional skiers (Hmmmmmm).

On Monday the 31st they got to sled for the first time ever. Emma is ready to move! We went to my cousins house and they had a blast. They bundled up and hit the trails. They were zooming so fast. They had a cat that insisted on jumping on with them and she would fly off ½ way down.

We flew out Monday Night to St. Louis- Got to the parking garage to find the tire was flat. Yahoo (after all the bags and everything was loaded) we got home at 10:30- Were supposed to go to a party- Did not go and I was in bed by 11:30- I told John it was 12:30 in Charlotte ?

We flew out on Tuesday and got home last night at 9:00 ish.

I don’t know why I would be tired today- how can you get tired when you have dreams of sitting in a chair all vacation ?

The Girls were crying on the way to school today- It was hard to get them up. Emma however in the midst of tears perked up and said- Oh I can’t be sad today- I got the best Christmas gift ever- My Mom is having a baby!! Seanna said me too!!

Joy has arrived at the Nickel house- and Joy is How many months away still? I don’t have a clue- but I will let you know after I go do the DR on the 31st ?

Sit Down you are going to be shocked- 12/27/07

So first of all a bit of sad news- My Grandmother passed away on Christmas Night. So we will be heading out to WI on Friday. She was a strong saint of God and a great Grandmother and we will miss her- but happy for her reunion with her husband and JESUS ON CHRISTMAS!!!

Second. I took four pregnancy test (yes you are reading that correctly) and I am expecting. I know pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I about passed out too. I am 39 people. Can you spell not planned or SHOCKED???

But God has his plans and HIS plans are perfect for my life. REPEAT that 47 times a day and you too will be a believer.

We told the girls on Christmas Eve and my parents as well. None of them would believe us for like 10 minutes. John and the girls are very excited. I still can not wrap my head around it and keep having visions of being the Mom at the High School Graduation with the walker!!

And in the past two months I have lost a mother-in-law, lost a Grandmother, and found out I am 39 and prego. I am saying enough of the stress already.

January is going to be a breeze!!

Love you all-
Happy New year-
CMN

Seanna and the playground clubs 12/19/07

So some of you have asked if Seanna is as funny as Emma- and if I just forget to post stuff about Seanna. Well here is the scoop- Seanna is so logical she was born with a daytimer and a pen in hand.

She is very logical, smart, articulate, scheduled, realistic, caring, energetic, motherly and the list goes on and on and on.

Because of the fact that she is an old soul she rarely feels the need to entertain, make one laugh, or just goof off.

She loves times when she and I shop together. She recently told me that she was really having a hard time during recess at school.

Really I said

yes

Why?

Because I don't know which club to join-

Club?

Yes- there is the playground beautification club that collect rocks and arranges them, puts flowers in nice places etc.

There is the soccer club that they just play soccer.

There is the cheerleader club that stands and does cheers- but I don't want to do that one because I don't want to get sweaty or grass on me.

There is the animal club

Animal club I say?

Yes

They sit there and talk about animals. They get the other goal post from the soccer field- sit in there and talk about every kind of animal.

I thought you were going to be a vet (again me questioning)

Mom- that was so last year- now I am not.

Oh- okay- well which one do you want to join?

I don't know - I don't want to choose one- and then the other ones get their feelings hurt-

Wow- that's a lot to think about.

I think I will just walk and look at all of them like I normally do.

Are you lonely Seanna?

Lonely? Are you kidding? I am smarter than most kids in my class Mom, I am a straight A student, and I read at a 7th grade level.

Right- but are you lonely?

Not usually

Some times?

Yes, Mom sometimes-

Seanna-we all are. (she rolls her eyes at me when I tell her this)

Mom- you are not going to give me a life lesson from this are you?

Nope- Just checking in on you.

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So you see in her serious-ness she is funny. In a differnt way. She freaks me out because she is so level headed, and aware of way to much for an 8 year old.

Would I trade her for any other little girl?
Absolutely not
Do I wish I was that together when I was 8?
You had better believe it!


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BTW I also asked her if you had to get inducted into a club? Got hazed etc and she just looked at me like I had four heads. (Well it was funny to me)

While- 12/19/07

While raising my children.....

I lost my mind....
But found my soul!!

I don't know about you? December 18th, 07

I don't know about you...but I am so behind- I have seen the back side of my skirt all week!! I finally (I think) have all of the gifts bought!! Hallelujah!!

Last night I was cleaning until 12:30AM getting the downstairs decorated, and organized again. I wish I had the gene that lets you not get into panic attacks when your home is in dis-array....but I don't!! It is like I can't rest mentally until I know things are in order (there is therapy for people like me). Monday Night at the Nickels- is family night.

I declared family night (to everyones dismay) as cleaning up before your have your little party on Friday Night- Night.

Wow- it went over with glee, dancing, and merriment (not). They were whining, groaning, complaining, their legs hurt, they had to do homework, they had an earache, they had a scratch on their pinky finger (literally this is what I heard). I was like - Wow- I guess we are not doing your party this year- WOW they flew into gear

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I thought of my life- The grumbles, The complaints, The back-chat to the Lord when he tells me to get into HIS WORD more, or spend more than my usual time in prayer. Are you kidding? Have you seen my laundry? I can't even find clean underwear for the kids- STUDY? What? What do you need me to STUDY for? I am not speaking anywhere? The Christmas tree is not even up.

We grumble, complain, whine, until we stop- and do what HE says- As soon as we do it - we feel so much better.

Last week- like I blogged- The lord was dealing with me to Just let go... and Walk with him- basically enjoy the journey. This week he has been dealing with me about DIGGING INTO HIS WORD. I am like I read every day. Remember- that's me Cylinda- the one you see reading. But that is not enough during this season of my life- for some reason he is urging, pressing, prodding me on to dig deeper. So I might as well do it. When you do (even if it is at 12:30 AM) you get the best nuggets that give you strength for the next day.

So here is some really great news!
Matthew 6:34 (The Message)

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Worriers are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

Kids in Prayer- Praying the Nativity Scene- 12/18/07

Sunday Night I was desperate to do something- Christmas-y and still prayer-filled with our "Kids in Prayer" group.....

SO....John and I

Took my nativity scene from home and set It up for them.

We had each of them take a person from the scene and we prayed for those person's characteristics to be manifested in our lives (don't worry that is not how I worded it for the kids Here are some of our examples:

Mary- Pure heart, available to the Lord
Joseph- Loyal to my family and friends
Shepherds- Sharer of the good news of Jesus to others
Animals- (yes they were included) that we would be willing to share what we have with others.
Wiseman 1- That we would bring our gift of Worship to Jesus
Wiseman 2- That we would walk in faith like the Wiseman
Wiseman 3- That we would look good in robes (kidding trying to see if you are reading this) That we would follow HIS path and not be side-tracked by unbelievers (King Harod)

Jesus- That he would be the center of our lives like he is the center of the manger scene!

Anyway- I know I am always needing ideas for Kids in Prayer so wanted to share this with you all....

IF YOUR CHURCH DOES NOT HAVE A KIDS PRAYER MEETING- START ONE TODAY-
Find LYN ST.JOHN on here and email her- or go to:

www.kidsprayer.com- Start one today- KIDS need to be in PRAYER!! They are amazing prayer warriors and intercessors!



Love you all like a freshly decorated Christmas tree (WOW)

Walk with Me- December 14, 2007

So…..

Today the Lord challenges me with three simple words- Walk With Me.

I cry as I type them.

I don’t want to walk. I want to sit at your feet and rest.

NO walk with me.

I don’t want to walk. I am still hurt

Your bruises will heal when you move

I don’t want to move- I want to pause, sit still, and not be noticed

Be obedient and Walk with me

No- I have been stripped of everything- I am off balance and I have lost my coordination- walking requires coordination

Walk with me

I can’t- what if I don’t know what that path is

I am walking with you

But I like this spot of the grass- remember you brought me here by the quiet bench to sit

Walk

Remember how when I sat I started seeing the ugly scars that I did not even know where there, the horrible things I had shoved to the back part of my heart, the pride issues I had, the workaholic tendencies that paralyze me? Remember? Remember when I paused- I was still and saw the hard glances that were coming my way- how I was hurt ...and you said I needed to rest? Well I don’t know if I want those hard glances again.

IT is time

No – it is not, my legs are Jell-O, my heart can’t take the pressure of the walk, and my faith is a little rough around the edges.

Shabbiness is what I desired- You have gotten it wrong for so long- you can’t even see the rightness in this- My grace has always been sufficient for you- but you would never bask in it. You had to have movement to push out the sound of the crowd- but that also pushed out the sound of me.

Well see all the more I don’t need to move- I need to sit and still listen
.
You are ready!!

Ready for What? What if I fail? What if I get hurt? What if I get shoved? What if I can't really hear? Have you thought about that?

No-

NO?

That is right- because now you understand- none of this is about you- It’s all about me. For I place you where I need you, for when I need you, and it is my hand that repositions you. And I say walk.

Maybe if I just take baby steps

You will get the hang of it

What if the grass that I was sitting at needs me?

It will be fine.

What if they hate me?

They won’t. Again- It’s not about you- It’s about you letting them see me!

I’m Scared

I am with you always

What if you loose my address?

I am by your side.

Do you really have doors you are going to open up before me?

Yes

Really?

Yes

And they are ready to spring open?

Yes

Then what are we waiting for- Let me just brush myself off- This is your idea right?

Yes

Am I stalling?

Yes

Do you ever say anything else but yes?

Yes- Don’t you remember over the past couple of years when you cried pleaded, promised, begged and I said no? Now I am saying yes!

Psalms 37: 23-25
23. The Steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:
And he delighteth in his way.
24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25. I have been young, and now am old: Yet have I
Not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

It is not hot under all of that plastic? 12/11/07

Don't take this as being harsh

But I am tired of plastic people.
Take off the mask
Just for one day
Be real
You will be able to breathe with out all of that plastic on your head
AND.....

You will look a lot more beautiful!

I guarantee you if you try it just for once
You won't want to go back
to your safe
pretent
perfect
world

When he is shining through you- you need to be as transparent as possible!

Funny and Sad- Kind of like Kettle Corn - but just not food related!- 12/11/07

So Sunday for some reason Emma woke up really missing her "Grammie". She talked about it all the way to church, and wanted to pray on the way to church. She is realizing that she won't be able to see her for Christmas.

So she said let's pray that Jesus will let her come back for Christmas. So I had to explain all of that to her six year old emotions. When she got to church she was till thinking about it. In class she requested prayer that her Grammie would come out of her case and be home for Christmas. The kids in the class laughed at her and she was mortified. So while taking out my attendance/offering. I see her out of class crying with Penny. She just said she was tired. But when I held her she told me the whole story.

I told her it was normal to want her home- but let's be happy that she will have the best Christmas ever.

Earlier in the car- she was trying to think of John's Dad's Name (John's Dad passed away when John was 8 so the Kids don't know much about him) she said was my Grandpas name Larry or Bob? I said no that is the Veggie Tales Emma- his name was August- she said well I knew it was something weird like that

We have teased her and laughed about that all weekend. It was the joy that brought back the smile on her face. She still does not want to sleep alone at night. She wants someone with her. She still tears up when she talks about her Grammie.

I finally told her on Sunday Night- when she was very tired- you know what Emma- I think I would be worried about you if you didn't feel this way. She said really? I thought I was just weird Mom. I said nope- it has only been a month.

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I thought back in my life about time when others have laughed at me. Some scars are from Kindergarten- when I brought in my perfect show and tell item- a dog made out of marbles- Tony Pintaro- thought it was weird- picked it up and one of the marbles fell off and it broke. The Class Laughed.

Second Grade while running up to my teacher to erase the board- I slipped- the class laughed- and I had 2 stitches and had to be taken to the hospital.

Fifth Grade I was in a new school in the US. I didn't have anyone to sit with at lunch because they all told me that the seat was taken. I sat alone...and they laughed. I then snuck off to read alone in the library. My books- My friends.

The 10th Grade- first day of school- new school- I was dressed up- they weren't - They stuffed my locker full of trash and laughed as it all fell on top of me.
They laughed- I didn't.

First year at Bible School. I did not have any winter clothes. I had a coat from my Grandma. I had never walked on salted ice steps before. I launched out- Fell flat on my back. Ripped her coat. I was horrified- They laughed.

Isn't it amazing that you and I can all sit down and remember times when we were funny to others- and not included in THEIR JOKE?

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I can think of those things today and it is just as hurtful as the day it happened. As a Mother I want to shield my girls from harsh and hurtful words, as a wife I want to shield my husband from others falsely judging him, but as a person I long just like you do- for genuine care and respect. A warm enveloping hug on a cold day. A hand to pick me up, a band-aid for a bruised knee, and a quick shared laugh- realizing that tomorrow is a new day.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

Tirade Tuesday -December 11th, 2007

So Let me get this off of my chest.

I hate hate hate...when you go to the bathroom and try to get toilet paper off the roll and it comes out in a shred of 1 inch by 1/2 inch. If I had the bottom the size of a Barbie- I would not have need to be in an adult bathroom at all would I ?

I never thought I would hear myself say this but today I miss the days of living over seas where you carried your roll- at least then you knew you could roll it out - GEEZ!