And the winner is..... Drum Roll....

First Place- Chvana Robertson- Who would not love that Giraffe Mug?


Second Place- Kevin Blake- You had me at Foreign Missions



Thanks everyone for your contributions-

The $15.00 Target card and the $7.50 Target card will go out in the mail ASAP!!

Stay tuned for our next contest.....

CMN

Last four mug's for the contest....

Kevin Blake:



Here is my take on a familiar mug. It is my favorite just because it feels substantial, and when you stir in the coffee cream it swirls like abstract art. Cheap entertainment!

Lynn St.John:



It’s orange need I say more. LOL but also it has Eeyore on it. He is my favorite and I think I finally know why. I have always wanted to help people be happy and cheer for the underdog. Eeyore like so many people just need love. If this mug was the last one in the cupboard no one would use it because of the combination of orange and Eeyore, it’s definitely the one that describes me. PS - Lynn has two of the same mug in case one breaks.

Chvana Robertson:

Chvana just loves this mug- I am going to say it's because the whole MK to Tanzania thing- what do you think?


Tracie Smith:


Ok Cylinda because I want to be cooperative with your blog I thought I better show you my favorite coffee cup. I’m a social coffee drinker. My coffee drinking habits also provide me with opportunities for little dates with Kent. Often we hop in the car and run over to one of our local Starbucks. We prefer the location on the lake since it provides a more romantic environment. I wish I could have found a pic of Kent’s favorite cup. I’m certain he would have won your contest! Lol He drinks his HOT coffee thru a straw. Imagine that!

You know church- but do you know Jesus?

We know church
We can do church
In fact we can do it with our hands tied and our eyes blindfolded
How long have we been going to church?
How well can we sing the songs, quote the scriptures, stand and sit at the appropiate times?

But pushing that all aside how well do you know the King of Kings?
The Lord of all creation?

When is the last time we have sought his face?
Do you remember when you last had a hunger for him?
Do you remember when you sung that song to him and no one was there?
Do you remember what is was like when you worshiped and no one was there?

Go back and find that God
The God that you fell in love with in the first place.

Why do we continuously want to seek his hand if we don't want to seek his face?

Awake in me Oh Lord a fresh love for you
For it is when I seek your face
all things become second in my life.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

Coffee Mug Challenge Due Tuesday!

I have only received two mug entries- looks like they have a great chance at winning first and second place!! If you want to enter your mug picture- email me at Cylinda@carolina.rr.com

Winner will be announced tomorrow!!

Just so I don't forget

Emma came home from school today and for her after school snack she asked if she could eat a lonely roll that was left over from dinner last night.

I said sure!

She took a bite- spit it out in the trash- and looked at me.

She said YUCK- That is as hard as a tomato bug!

I said a tomato bug?

She said yes- how could you have let me eat that?

What is a tomato bug?

When she is 18 I will remind her of this!

Amazing People Alert

So yesterday- Was a day
I am not going into more details but I will leave it at that.

I went to my door after a long day to find my beautiful friend had sent me a care package filled with goodies for me and the girls! They were jumping up and down, twirling ribbons, hugging their bookmarks, and squealing with delight.

Me? I just sat and had a huge grin- in amazement at the LORD's timing once again in my life. I was in awe of His love brought into my heart by a tiny box filled with goodness.

Last night I listed to Lori Sabin's CD to one of the most amazing songs ever- and guess what my friend- the box sender? She is so amazing she even wrote it. Here it is. May it minister to you today- as it did to me yesterday and will for days to come. Let it go!

I Love you LAS- you are used of God and amazing!

---------------

SO how do you fit into all of this? What has the LORD challenged you to do to help someone this week? What have your felt impressed to do for someone else? It just might make the difference in their very core - like my box did yesterday! Each one touch one!

Inner Peace

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most HIGH shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.” Psalm 91:1

So many people are living in chaos, upheaval, change, and disorder today. I know this first hand because I am one of them. I have been served a large slice of change mounded with a spoonful of upheaval that has been sprinkled lightly with disorder. This recipe would be fine if I were a great laid back person- but I am not.

I am a list maker, a planner, a “Type A” personality nut! So what do we do in times like this? Study to keep our mouths shut- and our eyes on HIM. I have been praying for a deep peace lately. The kind that lakes have under the surface. Have you ever seen a huge lake? Not the kind that you can swim across but a deep large lake. Storms may come, waves, may crash, winds may blow but way below the surface there remains a calm.

I have asked God daily over the past two weeks to let me abide in his deep peace- in his calmness. SO that even when things are in chaos around me I will smile and dive back into HIS presence knowing all is well.


Let’s take a look at Jesus attitude in storms. What does he do? He is not fretting, making a list of choices, calling everyone on his heavenly cell phone from the lower deck. What does he do? He rest. He sleeps. He can do this because he knows that he has the power to just speak three words and all will change. Here are the words- ready? “Peace Be Still”. He has the knowledge that when he speaks those words that it will change. The storm on the surface will cease and be at one with the deep. This too shall pass and rest will be given to all.

This past week I have heard from friends who are:
1. Making major life decisions.
2. Facing major sickness in their immediate family
3. Facing the death of a loved one
4. Dealing with a spouse who has lost a job.
5. Battling an abusive spouse who is spreading lies
6. Dealing with separation anxiety from their family and friends

All of these people are in the midst of storms; turbulence that has lapped into their dwelling places, their minds, and into their spirits. I stand with you today and claim HIS WORDS over your life.


“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

“Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of your Wings.” Psalm 17:8

“You hide them in the secret place of your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.” Psalm 27:5

“For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me: He will lift me up on a rock.” Psalm 27:5

“For you have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is a rain storm against a wall.” Isaiah 25:4

Dwell in HIM this week. Let HIM minister to you. Rest in him! He has only the best ahead for you. Watch and see it spring forth in your life!

Contest entries one and two.....

#1 From Kathy-

Do I really need to explain?

I could provide a picture of my closet...

Perhaps it all started when I was a toddler, I was bowlegged and severely pigeon-toed. My legs were in casts, then splints to correct it - no pretty black patent leather for me...

Or is it because I wear a size 5 so "if the shoe fits, buy it in every color" is no joke, but my motto...



Or was it the visit in 1984 to the Philippines, home to the goddess of all shoe goddesses, Imelda Marcos...

Or I could direct you to the post on my blog when I wrote about receiving a box with 5 identical pairs of running shoes...

Even the little girls in my church recognize it - they all come show me their new shoes! I have fascinating conversations about Barbie shoes and tennies that light up...

I am what I am!


#2 From Paula

Paula does not think this needs an explanation!!


Remember to send your pictures and explanation of your coffee/tea cup to Cylinda@upwithmks.com

The contest ends on Saturday- 15.00 Target card for first place 7.50 for second!

"I would love to get busy and do my homework but right now I have a song to write"

That is the most original reason for not doing homework that I have heard...in the last five days at least.

Other excuses that I have heard are:

I need to cool off my brain and just sit here for a while
I still have words in my head from my teacher- I have to wait until they leave
I can't find a pencil in this house
Do you think by the look on my face that I want to do homework? (which by the way she also got in trouble for being sassy)

Today is the first time that she tried to out homework her homework. She had homework to do for school and for her piano lessons. Well she was doing neither. She was "writing" a song and it had to be done or she would forget what was in her head.

I quickly asked- is it going to fall out on the carpet?

She said what?

I said the song that is in your head if you don't write it down will it fall out of your ears onto the carpet?

She said- do you write music Mom?

I said no

She said- sometimes you just don't understand do you?

I said what I do understand is that you need to do your homework now.

She huffed and walked to the kitchen table and started her homework.

---------------------

Of course I totally understood what she was talking about. I have times of inspiration that I really do have stop and write something-because I am afraid I will loose it. I just did not want to get into that conversation with her today.

This week's contest....

Okay so now that life is getting back to normal for me now is the time to get back to our coolio challenges. SO this weeks challenge- what is your favorite coffee mug or tea cup? What mug represents you?

The other day we had some friends over and I pulled out my favorite coffee mug and my friends were like- that Mug is so you. I love it....

SO- what mug is so you?

$15.00 Target card to the coolest- and you have to say why it is so you
$7.50 Target card for second place.

Now get that digital camera out and start posting. I guess you will have to email to Cylinda@upwithmks.com and I will post on the blog.

SO I have been obsessed with this

Tiny little flashlight all day. Until the light is about out. Am I seven or what? I love it- It is after all little, shiny, green, and well emits light. What more could you want out of life?

Happy Heart Day!

I hope you all have a great heart day!

Kari Jobe's CD is out on I-Tunes TODAY!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE her. Just wanted to let you all know. I just love anyone that has a true heart of worship and she does.

Okay I am leaving for real-

It is only 9.99 on I-Tunes.

Okay really I am leaving

Buh Bye

I'm Dizzy Mommy...

That is the sound that I woke up to at 4 AM. Then clunk. Seanna with a high fever fell face forward in my bathroom. I helped her get up, took her to the bathroom and took her temperature. 102.9. I got medicine, took cold washcloths and put them on her head, and put her in my bed. She tossed and turned until 6 when I got out of bed with Emma.

Emma went to school alone- sad, and lonely. She thought she might need to stay at home with her sister. I said that is what Mommas are for. She ran to her room to get her favorite monkey and gave it to Seanna. She looked at me and said are you sure you can do this Mom?

I took her in to the DR at 8:45 to find that she has bronchitis. They both have had colds the past two weeks. Emma's went into walking pneumonia (she is all better now) and Seana's into bronchitis. I left the Dr to head for Target to get more medicine. I thanked the Lord on the way for insurance.

I brought her home- made a bed for her on the couch. Changed her into Pjs and get her cold liquids for her hot little lips to drink. She has been there all day. She requested popsicles after Emma got home. John is working from home this afternoon so I ran to get them for her. I then quickly ran through the drive through and got her a McFlurry. She was McHappy to see it when I got home. She still is burning up- 102.1. I freak out when they have fevers. I watch them breathe, their heartbeat. I have gotten about 1 hours worth of work done today.

I just sat down to work and she called me again. I told John I will work tonight when she sleeps. I Hate it when they are sick.

On to you.....

Did you know that the LORD cares for you on a daily basis more than you do over your kids when they are sick? He watches over you, shields you, thinks about you, has you imprinted on the front of his mind. He has your picture on his fridge, he carries your latest in his wallet, and brags on you to the angels. He thinks you are pretty incredible.

He guards you
He shields you
He waits for you to rest
He watches as you grow weary
as you fumble
and stands ready to steady you
He is only a whisper away
Some days he feels near
Some days far
But he is a breath away
Watching out
Guiding
and leading you


Thank you Jesus for being so amazing- for being the best Parent in the world. For loving me. May I just be 1/2 of the parent to my two little ones that you are to me.

I love you bloggy buddies. I need to run - Fever girl needs me.

There is a pig in our attic!!!

When Seanna was 4-5 years old she was convinced that there was a pig that lived in our attic. I don't know why. But she was not afraid of it- it was her "friend".

I would walk into her room and she would be talking to the "pig", showing it pictures from her DK picture books, singing to it etc. She even told the pig "good night" when she went to sleep.

She later forget about the "pig" in the attic.

I reminded her about this a couple of weeks ago when Emma was on some imagination adventure and Seanna was shaking her head at her.

Emma now has a princess pig room. That is what she wanted for her 7th birthday. I don't know what is is with my kids and pigs.

Maybe because my grandparents had a farm in WI? It skipped a generation and went to them.

Anyway- the pig in the attic was all brought up because My Mom and Dad have had the winter of "friends" visiting their home.

Let me preface this by saying that they live in St. Peters, MO right out side of St. Louis. They live in a neighborhood not in a farming area.

So they have had

A Raccoon in their basement
A couple of squirrels in their basement
A possum in their basement
A bird in their house
and a chipmunk in their house in Little Rock

I told Mom she must be Snow White - or an animal whisperer. They finally found out (while they had company staying at their house) that they had a tiny hole under their deck that the animals were using to get in.

I imagine the chagrin to many animals as they closed that hole. I don't have a basement and I can't imagine having a possum in it.

I was laughing about this with Mom the other day and she reminded me that I was the one that lived with a pig in my attic for years. Give me Seanna's pig any day!

Happy Monday........???

Is it a happy Monday for you?

It is for me- I have two kids- yes count them two in school today. Yahoo!! Emma went to school. Done with the ear infection. Done with the walking pnemonia. I felt free like a bird today. I even read my Bible on the front porch on my rocker....ALL BY MYSELF!!!!

One of the things that jumped out at me was Jon 1:35-42

Jesus turned and looked at them following him and said- "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi....Where are You staying?" (V 38)

Do you want to be where he is today? What do you need him to do in your life?

At this season in your life, what do you need the most?

1. Preparation for a fresh work?
2. Repair from a tear?
3. Restoration from a fall?

He CAN provide all of that for you.

--------------------------

On a MK Ministries note I am excited about a new thing we are going to start up this week. It is called 10 questions 1 face. It is a MK feature area. To start this off this week we are going to be presenting.....Kandra Robertson. So many of our MKs have so much going for them. I am proud of all of them. I want each face to tell their story- and for others to get to know them and love them as well.

-------------------------

On a funny Emmanism here is the latest. When I took Emma to the Dr on Thursday and they figured out she had walking pnemonia.... they had to take blood to figure it all out. When the Dr left the room Emma got up started screaming (I kid you not) stamping her feet and grabbing her coat all at once. I told her to calm down and asked what was going on.

WHAT IS GOING ON? ARE YOU GOING TO JUST SIT HERE AND TAKE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE MY BLOOD? I AM NOT. She screamed. I AM OUT OF HERE.

I could hear the nurse giggling outside of my door. I picked her up. Hugged her. Put her back on the table and told her it would not be bad. That if the nurses were that mean to kids the Police would lock them all up- and since they were free she could handle it. She would not calm down.

The nurse came in and she started flopping everywhere. I hugged her around her whole body (I was really holding her down). I prayed over her for peace, told her funny stories about Joe our former overweight Dashchund as the nurse pricked her finger. She said when is he going to do this? It is taking forever. I said Emma it is already done. She didn't even feel it.

Already done? Momma why didn't you tell me it was going to be a breeze? How could you let me think it would be so hard? I said Emma.....YOU thought it was going to be hard. The tears dried up in a flash. She sat up, straightened up her skirt, arranged her jacket and looked at me square in the eyes and said- but you still owe me a HUGE prize from Target. I said you will get one ......from the Dollar Section. She gave me the worst look of all looks and I quickly said- I'm kidding. How about a pet shop?

--------------------

I thought about her behavior at the DRs office yesterday in my prayer time with God. How many times have I lost it with the lord? How many times have I gotten out of control while I was fearful. Times when I thought situations in my life were the worst in the world? When it passed I asked the Lord- when he was going to prune that out of my life- and he looked down on me and said- remember when I was holding you? That is when it was done.

I have been doing a lot of screaming lately. Not the kind that anyone can hear- but silent screams to the Him. I have caused a lot of commotion in his presence, have been talking quite a bit, have wanted HIM to calm me down. He has. All the while he was working on me. His hands were so gentle, his love so great- I didn't recognize his loving touch had changed me.

Does this mean that a huge Pet Shop is coming in my direction? I sure hope so. I have had my eyes on some!

Happy Monday Peeps. Love you like a lizard loves his lips-

CMN

The Squirmy winner is.......

First Place: Tiffany Bracken

You know how it is when someone offers you something to eat and then stands there to see if you eat it? And it never fails to be something that I totally would never choose to eat on my own. Squirmy! Or worse, you do not know what they are offering you!

#2- Arriving at a function and not knowing where to go or sit! I hate those awkard moments when you are standing there and you feel that everyone is looking at you!

Second Place: Lori Sabin

#1 I get squirmy when someone says something rude to me and i get splotchy from head to toe. my squirmy-ness gives me away, hangs me out to dry and that makes me squirmier. squirmier, hmm, nice word.

#2 When someone else has food in their teeth, but won't stop talking for me to let them subtly know, i get squirmy.

also, when i know I have something in my teeth, but can't stop talking to subtly get it out, i get squirmy.
---------------------------
Yahoooooo!!!

Tiffany you need to email me- I don't know how to get you a $15.00 Target card in Taiwan :)

Lori- your Target gift card is on the way!!

Stay posted for this weeks challenge!!

Disclaimer: No animals were hurt during the judging of the squirmy contest. All rights reserved. All wrongs revenged!

And finally just for the fun of it....

10 supplies that are always in my house

1. 3M Dust remover- I am addicted to cleaning out my laptop keys
2. Diet Coke
3. Hummus
4. Diet Coke ( I can't mention it enough)
5. An abundance of toilet paper/ paper towels (I once ran out)
6. Extra ink for my computer (again I once ran out)
7. Steno pads (I guess I don't need to type I once ran out you get the pattern now)
8. Pledge- I hate dust
9. Wet wipes- anti bacterial kind, and the baby kind- I love wipes!
10.Olay Quench lotion- it is the winter you all!

Okay so what are your top 5 or 10?

The most beautiful sight....

So this week has been a little stressful

Emma is so much better today- thank you all for your prayers- we found out yesterday that she has walking pneumonia- but today she awoke a well child.

Wednesday was a snow day for the girls. Seanna was excited that there was no school. She had taken a shower and was in her room. I heard the radio tuned into the Christian station and it was LOUD. I peeked in to see my nine year old with her hands in the air spinning and singing loudly to the Lord. She had her eyes close and was really singing to Him. I quietly slipped away and went directly to my closet- which is indeed my prayer closet.

I thanked the Lord for the early morning praise fest that I was allowed to see. That was the most beautiful sight I could have seen. I didn't even ask her to make her bed that day- I just wanted to look past it all and see my beautiful nine year old basking in his presence.

My Simple Praise

I am without words for you today Lord
I fall at your feet
In gratitude
for once again
taking my frazzled rope
brushing it off
and retying it

I am unworthy
of your mercy
of your constant outpouring
of grace on my life

the revelation of your love is
my life flow
when I am weak
you have become my strength
when I question
you have stood ready with the answers
you have been my shield
my buckler
and my very present help

You have once again
poured annointing oil
out on my family
and healed my little girl

I can't tell you how much I love you
I only hope I will always show it
I stand in awe of you today
Thank you is not enough
So please take my simple praise

You all are so sweet

You all are so sweet. I re-read my post today and thought about deleting it. I am not- not happy- I was just having one of those frustrating days yesterday- Maybe I should not have typed yesterday :)

Today's update....
1. It snowed- No Dr's Apt. Yahoooooo!!

2. It snowed- Remember how I said no matter what the girls were going to school- it snowed :) They didn't... The Lord has a sense of humor people!

3. I found a lonely pound of hamburger in the back of my freezer. I haven't told the girls- it will be my little surprise.

4. Emma still has a fever. The Dr said to give the antibiotics another day. It is now in her lungs, chest area.

5. I love my friends, my blogging buddies. You all rock! Thanks for your notes, long distance hugs, and prayers! I am feeling back to normal today


Just in time- I had to finish a Newsletter for Mk Ministries and do a 2008 report for MK Ministries.....

Love you all!!

.......

The things that you do that go unnoticed speak volumes about who you are!

Just Because....

Just because in the last two days I have eaten 497 Oreos does not mean I am not going to be healthy this year- just don't expect 12 sticks of butter off my bottom this week!

Just because Emma or Seanna have been sick for the past three weeks- Emma with fever the last four days- does not mean that I am underwriting KLEENEX. I rebuked sickness from my house today. They are going to school tomorrow fever or not.

Just because I have not had to see my OB in 365 days..... and tomorrow is one year and a day to the horrible day I lost my baby. I will not fall apart when I have to go to their tomorrow. I refuse to to.

Just because I still don't have answers for everyone who is asking- where is Verizon moving John? What is his new position? Does he have a job? When are you moving? Are you still moving to AR? Doesn't mean that GOD DOESN'T have the answers because HE DOES. I am ready for him to clue me in- any day now!

Just because I don't feel the creative juice the size of a ketchup packet does not mean that I will never be creative again- just not in the next two hours.

Just because I didn't laugh at your jokes on the phone today doesn't mean I don't like you it means I am distracted. I'm sorry. I actually love you.

Just because I ran out of Carmex and Blistex and my girls lips are literally bleeding does not mean I will run to the store today. Diaper Rash ointment should work right?

Just because you are complaining that you have had chicken for three nights in a row does not mean you will not have it tomorrow night. And YES I WILL COOK IT IN THE CROCK POT AGAIN. If you don't like it you are 7 and 9 - go get a job and buy hamburger meat.

Just because you think I should always be calm, or hopeful, or perky for you, I am not. Some days I don't want to be upbeat, calm, or perky.

Just because you want me to share my scotch tape with you- I don't necessarily have to. I only have about two inches left and then what will be do if there is a Scotch Tape Emergency?

Just because I miss my Mom today does not mean that I will get to see her. I am forty, I have two kids and one husband and I miss my Mom every day.

Just because I want to hold my baby that I lost a year ago today- doesn't mean that I will get to today, or tomorrow, or in the near future. But I will get to in heaven. Mom, Renee, and Grandma are great babysitters.

Just because this blog is jumbled, silly, frustrated, frazzled doesn't mean that my God has failed me - because HE HAS NOT. It does not mean that I am frustrated with him- because I am not. It does mean that I am sure that JOY is arriving soon and when it arrives- it is going to recognize me. I am the one that locked myself in my office today and made myself praise.

Lord- take my crazy thoughts, my jumbled life, make it somehow beautiful and acceptable in your eyes today. Thanks for your provision. Thanks for my sweet girls- for my strong wonderful husband who loves me, winks at me, and even finds me attractive when I have Oreos in my teeth! You amaze me Lord- you really do!