Spaghetti!

Here are some pictures of Micah enjoying his dinner.  We had spaghetti the other night and I decided to see if he would eat it. So I cut it up really small, made sure there were no large chunks of meat and that is was cool enough and let him go to town!  This did a couple things for us:

1. he was able to experience feeding himself
2. he got to try grandma’s yummy spaghetti
3. i got to eat dinner at the same time as the rest of the family! (this was probably the best for me)

And of course I got to get some great pictures! I threw a couple pictures in from a previous dining experience. I can’t remember for sure what he was eating, but I think it was mashed potatoes.  Enjoy 

Roe v. Wade Anniversary

I have very strong feelings and convictions concerning abortion and its legality.  Here is a quote from Mother Teresa, three videos (one that I felt warranted reposting) and some websites I recommend checking out. Oh yeah, and some pictures of my two miracles!

But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child – a direct killing of the innocent child – murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love, and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts. Jesus gave even his life to love us. So the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love – that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts. By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems. And by abortion, the father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child he has brought into the world. That father is likely to put other women into the same trouble. So abortion just leads to more abortion. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching the people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion. 
~Mother Teresa 

National Right to Life
ProLife
Abort73
Stand True
Silent Day of Solidarity
Life News
Rock for Life
 

 

Interesting Video

I thought this was an interesting and insightful video.

My Baby

Is not so little anymore! I can hardly believe that he is 8 months old today! Here are some recent pictures of him and me

He is doing great. Not sure of his recent measurements just because he haven’t been to the doctor or WIC for a bit. But he is wearing 6-9 month clothing and is in stage 3 diapers.  He is still breastfeeding like a champ and he enjoys the occassional baby food.  He actually prefers table food to baby food, so he gets quite a bit of that at times. He sleeps through most of the night (from about 10 pm to 4-5 am) and then the rest of the night he sleeps with me in the bed. Which is really nice and makes things so much easier!

Check them out!

I made two new videos on animoto.com (actually I think I already shared one!) and wanted to share them with you! Here they are, enjoy!

Thankful for the Tears

I absolutely love this song; it has to be one of my all-time favorites by Rascal Flatts. It is title Here and I think that the reason I love it so much is because it is really perfect for my relationship with my husband. Not necessarily because I had relationships that didn’t work out before him, I did. And not because it took us a bit to find each other, it did.  But mainly because we have been through so many things that the world would look at as ups and downs in our marriage and we have made it through them together.  And because no matter what, i would do it all over again just to  get to here and be with him. I am thankful for the tears! Listed below is the chorus of the song.  And below that is a video of the song in case you have never heard it.

And I wouldn’t change a thing
I’d walk right back through the rain
Back to every broken heart
On the day that it was breakin’ 
And I’d relive all the years

And be thankful for the tears
I’ve cried with every stumbled step
That led to you and got me here 

And I’d relive all the years
And be thankful for the tears
I’ve cried with every stumbled step
That led to you and got me here, right here

Favor and Blessing

One of the blogs that I have recently started reading on a regular basis is titled Confessions of a Pastors Wife. It is a great blog and there have been some of Lori’s posts that have caused me to stop and think, to reevaluate things, and sometimes just say wow! I have really enjoyed it.  On one of her recent posts, she said the following and it really hit home with me considering the recent changes in circumstance that Josh and I have been going through.

Well favour and blessing takes on different forms than we anticipate. We thought it would look like what we wanted when we wanted it but it has come in the form of character building, trust, and surrendering control. Some may argue whether that is really the favour of the Lord but I am sure that it is. When God builds character in us through our circumstances that is His grace on our lives, teaching us and equipping us for exactly what we need to accomplish His purposes. 

The first two sentences in the quote really struck me. The paragraph as a whole really struck me.  Just because something is not what we thought it should look like or feel like does not mean it is not from God or that His hand isn’t on us.  I have always known this and I have always tried to put this into evidence in my life.  

I believe in a sovereign God; one who has a plan for my life and regardless of the route that plan takes is in complete control and is always by my side.  Sure there are times when I don’t like the route the plan is taking or I hit bumps in the road that I wish I never had encountered but who am I to question my Lord.  I can sit and think back through the times that I have encountered hardship and trials in my life since becoming a believer (and even before) and see God’s hand and leading.  I know that He is firmly in control.  And I can honestly look back and say that there is not one thing in my life that I would change.  Mainly because those times have drawn me closer to my Savior and allowed me to have a sweet fellowship with Him.

Yes it is hard sometimes to see that God is in control when we are in the shadows and the valley.  But if we truly have a faith that is grounded in Him, we can hang on to the truth that He is on the throne and in control and we will make it through.  Over the next couple of weeks I plan to share some of the shadows and valleys that I have encountered and how God has seen me through those times.  I hope that you will come back to read them and I pray that they will draw you close to your Savior or if you don’t have a relationship with Him that you will seek one out.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
 I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 
 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
 You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; 
 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
                    ~Psalm 23

 

Menu Plan Monday

This is something I came across as I was surfing the internet looking for new sites on organization, meal planning, and the like.  So it sounded interesting and I thought I would give it a try. Check it out and join in the fun!

 

Whats for dinner this week?

So here is my meal plan for the week:

Monday- tacos

Tuesday- chicken and rice

Wednesday- dinner at church (soup, salad, and dessert)

Thursday- deer steaks

Friday- beef stir fry

Saturday- pizza

Sunday- roast, potatoes and carrots in the crock pot

Weary

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles,  They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:28-31

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. ~Galatians 6:8-10

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. ~Hebrews 12:2-3

I am weary.  I am physically, mentally and emotionally fatigued, although it is mostly mentally and emotionally and not so much physical.  The past 18-18 months have been some of the hardest months of my life, but the past 10 or so have been the most trying.    

If you did not know, we have been living with my mother-in-law since June.  It has been a long 7 months! Please don’t misunderstand, I love my mother-in-law and we get a long great.  Out of most of my adult girlfriends, I would say that we have one of the best relationships.  But adult children were not meant to live with their parents. Especially not when they have been on their own for over 10 years. And especially not when they have a wife and two children of their own.  I am so grateful that my mother-in-law took us in when my dh had no job or income. And I am so thankful that she has helped us stay on our feet these last months.  But it is still very hard to live here.  I don’t feel like I have my own house; I am not comfortable cleaning or rearranging things; I don’t cook dinner anymore.  I can see a huge difference in my 9 year olds attitude since we moved in and it is not a good change.  There are days that I just have to take the baby and retreat to my room.  And there are days that I feel that that is all my life as been reduced to, a room!  And although I am so thankful and appreciative of my mother-in-laws support I will be so glad when I once again have my own house (may be soon!).

My husband still does not have a job.  Or maybe I should say once again he has no job.  Because he had a job and then they had to downsize and since he was one of the newest hires he was one of the ones let go.  It was kind of bittersweet.  On one hand it was hard becasue we could really use the income as our bank account is low; lower than it has ever been before.  But on the other hand, it was a blessing because we have really started to see God work in this area.  We both feel that God is telling and showing us that it will not be much longer before Josh is offered a position. We just aren’t sure where He is telling or showing us that that position is!  At this moment we have 3 churches that have narrowed us down to their final candidates. At one church, we are one of four. At one of the other churches we are in their top few as well (not sure where) and we just sent them our family introduction video. And at the final church, we are their main candidate and will more than likely be going for an extended weekend shortly.  And then there is another church that has actually thought about hiring Josh as the interim while they are searching.  So God is beginning/continuing to work and it has been great to see!

I am weary. But I will not give up or give in. I know that the Lord will give me strength and guidance to persevere. Isaiah 40:28-31 tells me so and I believe it! He will renew me, He will give me wisdom, He will give me strength, and He will give me understanding when I need it. I am trusting in the Lord!

I received this e-mail prayer from a lady that I really only know a little and have limited contact with.  But it really touched me; that she would take the time to respond to me and to actually pray for me meant a lot. I have printed it out and keep it tucked inside my Bible where I can pull it out and read it when I need reminding!

May the Lord continue to bless you and your husband and guide you in your every decision. I offer up this prayer for you from Eph 3:16-21 in the Amplified Bible:

Lord, may You grant Tzigane, out of the rich treasury of Your glory, to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in her inner man by the Holy Spirit Himself indwelling her innermost being and personality. 

May Christ, through Tzigane’s faith actually dwell, settle down, abide and make His permanent home in her heart! May she be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that she may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp, with all God’s devoted people, the experience of that love-what is the breadth and length and height and depth of it; that Tzagane may really come to know practically, through experience for herself, the love of Christ which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience; that she may be filled through all her being with the richest measure of the divine Presence and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself!

Now to Him, Who, by the action of His power that is at work within Tzigane, is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly far
over and above all that I dare ask or think-infinitely beyond my highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams-to Him be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever.
Amen-so be it! 

Creat Your Own Videos

My super cool husband found this website and then sent it to me to check out! It is a great website and I think you should check it out.  I can see pretty much everyone having a use for it.  It is free to an extent and then to go further you would have to upgrade, but even the free parts are great.  I think that if you really had a use the upgrade seems pretty reasonable.  So head on over and check it out.  But first watch the short video I created. And it only took me about 5 minutes!

Listening, Doing, Your Thoughts

I am often amazed at the power of the internet.  This isn’t a post about that, but it does amaze me on a pretty regular basis that I am able to surf around the net and find people that I will probably never meet in real life and learn about them and from them.  Lately I have been doing a lot of blog surfing.  I find a blog that I enjoy reading on a regular basis or maybe just that one time and then I click through a couple of the blogs they are reading or recommend.  Now, I realize that this could pose problems and I could stumble across something that I don’t want to read or see.  But I can honestly say that I have yet had that happen.  However, what has happened is that I have came across some blogs that have great insight and wisdom on them. Or they have some hilarious story about a situation that I have been in. And I have even come across some that have made me stop and rethink a position and have caused me to cry and my heart to ache for that person.  I have even came across some blogs where I do not agree with the person’s belief system, but still have found some great information on their site or some tidbit that I can take away and learn from.

All that to say that recently on one of the sites that I read on a daily basis, I came across this post and it hit me.  Because she could have been describing me or becase I could have wrote that post myself.  Here is what she had to say:

Because (and I’m confessing now) this is the truth …

I would be more willing to provide meals for someone for an entire month, than sit still and chat over a cup of coffee.

I would be more willing to paint a room or move furniture or do someone’s grocery shopping than sit still and chat over a cup of coffee.

I would be more willing to teach a Sunday school class, put together the platform flower arrangement, make a sign-up sheet … then sit still and chat over a cup of coffee.

This is something I’ve always understood about myself and like I said, it always kind of bothered me because I thought as a PW, I should be willing to sit and chat (at least over a glass of iced tea, if not coffee.)

But maybe that’s a wrong take on it. I know there are people who excel at listening, wide-eyed and totally captivated with what the other person is saying.

But maybe those people aren’t as willing to prepare food, do dishes, move furniture and teach a Sunday school class.

Paul writes that we are given gifts: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

As I sat there reading her post, I just remember thinking wow is she in my brain.  But then I realized that there are probably plenty of pastors wves out there that feel the same exact way.  And although it is not a bad thing, in a lot of churches we have been made to feel like it is not enough to do.  And that we are in the wrong if we don’t sit and listen intently to every congregation member.  I agree that do need to listen and be there for our congregations, whether they are adults or teenagers.  But I also think that our congregations need to realize that we also have gifts that God has blessed us with and they aren’t going to be exactly the same as everyone else’s or even the previous pastor’s wife or maybe even the other pastor’s wives on staff.

It has taken me several years and many many learning experiences to realize that there are some gifts I have and a lot that I don’t. I know what my gifts are and I know that God has given them to me for a reason. And that reason is to bring glory to Him in everything I do.  I also have realized that for many years I tried to fill or fit into gifts I did not have or areas that God did not mean for me to be, and that was wrong. I allowed what others thought I should be doing mean more and bother me more than knowing where God wanted me and not being there.  And that was sin on my part.  I am so glad that God forgives and gives us second and third chances.  

It is so important and I know now that I have to focus on using the gifts that God has blessed me with and using them to the best of my ability to bring glory to Him.  I also know that I do need to make myself stop and take the time to listen to those who need me to listen to them. And although this is not something I am real comfoortable doing, I need to do it to the best of my ability.

So what do YOU think? I would like to know your opinions, leave me a comment.  Or if I don’t make any sense, then tell me that too!  Its ok, I won’t cry (too much!)

Another Interesting Site and Great Contest

I wanted to post another site that I have been reading lately because I think it is interesting and is something I am going to try when we get back out on our own (and not living with the mother-in-law!).

Tomorrow she is having a huge “party” on her website and she has some great prizes lined up.  Take a peek now and then head back on over tomorrow!

 

Click image to join the party!

I plan to be there as much as possible tomorrow after I get done running from appointments with the baby!  See you there!

Great Giveaway

I stumbled across this site early this morning (isn’t it great how you can do that on the internet!) and thought I would share.  So far what I have read on the site seems to be pretty good.  Anyways, I thought this was a great giveaway and wanted to share it.  I am going to just use the Jaydee’s own description as I am not sure I could do it as eloquently as she did. So head on over to her site and enter for your chance to win a great prize worth $25!

“Heirloom Acres Seeds continues to have one of the very best selections of quality open pollinated and heirloom seeds in the country! We offer some of the lowest prices to be found anywhere as well as giving unbeatable customer service. We stock seeds packaged in sizes for the home gardener as well as commercial growers, greenhouses, seed dealers and nurseries.

Heirloom Vegetable, Herb and Flower Seeds! 

 

With well over 1000 varieties of seed we have most of the reliable and trusted favorites as well as many, many hard to find and rare varieties. Check back frequently for newly added varieties from this year’s harvest!

Seed Potatoes and Organic Herb Plants!

Look for our much larger selections of seed potatoes and organic herb plants. We work with other family farms across the country to provide you with the highest quality plants and starts available.

Asparagus Crowns, Strawberry Plants and Onions!

Heirloom Acres Seeds once again makes available an outstanding group of asparagus, strawberry and onion varieties as well as horseradish and rhubarb starts.

Supplies, Books, Posters, Cultivation Aids!

Explore our greatly expanded bookstore, browse through our supply section! Everything we can think of to help you learn about it, grow it, harvest it and preserve it! 

 

Trusted Seeds. Trusted Service
The Source for Heirloom Seeds
Our family invites you to enter our online store

“Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

Genesis 1:11″

Would You Do It?

I do not know anything about the personal lives of the girls in this video/story.  But I think you can take thier example and ask yourself if, as a Christian, you would be willing to do what they did? Regardless if it was for another believer in Christ, a non-believer or even some one of a different religion that disagreed with you.  Would you be willing to step over to them and carry them; help them get through whatever they were going through?  Just something to think about.

Photo Editing Software

I was recently having a conversation with my brother-in-law Allen, who is a professional photographer (you can check out his work here) about photo editing software, Photoshop and the cost of the program.  He told me about a free program called GIMP and how good it was supposed to be; very comparable to Photoshop.  I was of course skeptical because 1. it was free and 2. i am a huge huge fan of photoshop.  Well earlier today I finally had a chance to search the internet for the program, check it out and decide to download it.  It took it a bit to download and install and I have only played with it a bit but I think I am really going to like it.  It seems to have pretty much everything that Photoshop had (or at least the last version I played with) and maybe even more. 

I was able to do some changes to this photo of my dad and Micah.  I wanted to select the background and then take out all the color.  I figured it was going to take me forever. But I selected the tool and within 5 minutes I had completed all the enhancements to it that I wanted to do.  It was so easy.  I will post more about it in the future so that you can see more of my fun work and learn more about the program.

 

Grandpa Harold and Micah

Wordless Wednesday

Sarai in front of the elevator to the top.

The top of the Arch. 630 feet high

The reflection of the arch in the Mississippi River below.

Happy New Year

Just a quick post to say that I really hope that you have a great new year and that 2009 brings you lots of joy and blessing.

I will post more later, I know I have been mia for a bit but I am sure that you understand with the holidays and all that come with them.