It has been one day and two nights now that Kent has been gone to Evanston, IL for a computer class. I have to admit there are pros and cons to his absence.
The pros are I seem to be able to get some major cleaning done when he is gone and spend some time out with friends, and enjoy some quiet time with the Lord. These are things I do while he is here as well, but in his absence, at least I have something to keep me occupied.
The cons are it is hard for me to sleep at night without him being here. I have to fight fear at night, being alone in the house by myself, and I miss his presence. So I have to stand on that scripture in Psalms.
Psalms 34:4 (KJV)
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
The first night is always the hardest. I fell asleep at 3:30 a.m. on the couch while watching TV.
Last night I fell asleep on the couch while watching Love It or List It and missed the ending. So at 12:30 I arose and went upstairs to bed. I actually slept pretty good the rest of the time, awakening around 5:30 a.m. as the garbage truck was making a lot of noise. I went back to sleep for approximately half an hour, and then got up, dressed, and went outside and got the recycle bins and garbage cans and brought them into the garage. I then sat down on couch and had my devotions.
Afterwards, I got on the computer to look at my email, and from an email, landed in Pinterest online. So I began looking at some quotes, and the one that particularly caught my eye was this:
Love me when I least deserve it because that is when I really need it. Swedish Proverb
I look back on my life at a time I was out of the will of the Lord, trying to escape the pain of a broken heart, in search of healing and love through a relationship outside of God's will. I ran from God because I thought I was unforgiveable, so I ran to man thinking that he would accept me. But of course, like David said, that He would rather rely on the mercy of God than put his life in the hands of man. Where the hand of man, the arm of flesh is, things certainly will be tainted with sin. It is only when we are in Christ, walking in the Spirit, that we find what we are looking for.
I have learned to love others at their worst because God loved me that way.
Romans 5:8
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
So if we are going to demonstrate the love of God, we must hate the sin, but love the sinner. We have been mandated that if we see one of our brothers or sisters in sin, we are to help them get back on the right path.
Galatians 6:1
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
We are to speak the truth in love to them.
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
We are to pray for them.
(1 John 5:16 KJV) If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
So if you see someone today trapped into a lifestyle of sin, love them enough to pray for them, confront them in love, and help them get back on track with the Lord.
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Lamentations 3:22-24 (NLT)
The faithful love of the Lord never ends![a]
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Alyssa's Cupcake 9th Birthday Celebration
Today, we drove to Madison Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin to celebrate Alyssa's birthday. Keith and Mahala rode with us; Judah, Glorybel, and Judson followed us; Rob and Sunshine and kids met us there. We all arrived arount 9:20 a.m.
We ventured around the zoo, looking at seals, giraffes, buffalos, etc. The kids enjoyed the kid's playground, and then feeding the goats. Judson squealed with delight at feeding them. The other three kids were having fun as well.
Glorybel and the 4 kids all rode the carousel and the train. The rest of us relaxed on benches and concrete seats while they enjoyed their rides.
Around 12 noon, we headed toward the cars, to get our picnic lunch we had brought. We all fended for ourselves today. Then we had cupcakes for Alyssa's birthday.
Hard to believe that Sunshine's middle child is now 9 years old. Alyssa is like me, a middle child, and sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. But she has some amazing ambitions to learn how to cook, so that is what we gifted her with this year. Guess you can say, it was her cupcake birthday!
Mahala made some awesome cupcakes with teal icing, Alyssa's favorite color. I made her an apron that had cupcakes all over it. Also, we gave her a box of yellow cupcake mix, a box of chocolate cupcake mix, cupcake papers with picks, cupcake pan, mixing bowls, vanilla blue icing, spatulas, measuring cups, measuring spoons, and a cupcake carrier box. Not every little 9 year old gets the real thing, but thought that toy things cost as much and even more, so the real thing she can get some good use out of. Sunshine said she needed some of those things as well ideas for her birthday).
We also gave her some hair bands that were made to look like a lollipop. Gave her a card game that she can use to ask questions with other friends. And a few other little objects.
She seemed to enjoy them all. She also received some very nice things from Mahala and Keith, and Judah and Bel. And Rob, her dad, told her she was going to be getting a bike.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day. The weather was great. couldn't have asked for better weather....loved it!
We all went our separate ways back home. We stopped in Madison at Bed Bath and Beyond and got a new trash can. Stopped at Menard's, but they only had 1 of the 5 things Kent needed to finish the backsplash behind the stove. Then we drove back to Monroe, Wisconsin and stopped at Dairy Queen to enjoy a blizzard. And then drove back to Freeport. Dropped off Mahala and Keith at their home, and then finally we got some gas (only 25 more miles to empty), and then home.
Home Sweet Home!
We ventured around the zoo, looking at seals, giraffes, buffalos, etc. The kids enjoyed the kid's playground, and then feeding the goats. Judson squealed with delight at feeding them. The other three kids were having fun as well.
Glorybel and the 4 kids all rode the carousel and the train. The rest of us relaxed on benches and concrete seats while they enjoyed their rides.
Around 12 noon, we headed toward the cars, to get our picnic lunch we had brought. We all fended for ourselves today. Then we had cupcakes for Alyssa's birthday.
Hard to believe that Sunshine's middle child is now 9 years old. Alyssa is like me, a middle child, and sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. But she has some amazing ambitions to learn how to cook, so that is what we gifted her with this year. Guess you can say, it was her cupcake birthday!
Mahala made some awesome cupcakes with teal icing, Alyssa's favorite color. I made her an apron that had cupcakes all over it. Also, we gave her a box of yellow cupcake mix, a box of chocolate cupcake mix, cupcake papers with picks, cupcake pan, mixing bowls, vanilla blue icing, spatulas, measuring cups, measuring spoons, and a cupcake carrier box. Not every little 9 year old gets the real thing, but thought that toy things cost as much and even more, so the real thing she can get some good use out of. Sunshine said she needed some of those things as well ideas for her birthday).
We also gave her some hair bands that were made to look like a lollipop. Gave her a card game that she can use to ask questions with other friends. And a few other little objects.
She seemed to enjoy them all. She also received some very nice things from Mahala and Keith, and Judah and Bel. And Rob, her dad, told her she was going to be getting a bike.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day. The weather was great. couldn't have asked for better weather....loved it!
We all went our separate ways back home. We stopped in Madison at Bed Bath and Beyond and got a new trash can. Stopped at Menard's, but they only had 1 of the 5 things Kent needed to finish the backsplash behind the stove. Then we drove back to Monroe, Wisconsin and stopped at Dairy Queen to enjoy a blizzard. And then drove back to Freeport. Dropped off Mahala and Keith at their home, and then finally we got some gas (only 25 more miles to empty), and then home.
Home Sweet Home!
Friday, August 16, 2013
57 and loving it!
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=feather+of+his+wings&id=5459B0AFE071D1605A956DD8218566A7DD0B5335&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=AED3B86F8B7464658AF9FC1E6C60758C892F2D8A&selectedIndex=228
How blessed I am to know that no matter what I am going through in life, I am under the shadow of His wings. I have chosen to run to the Father above, through His Son, and by His Spirit am able to walk in this life unafraid of what the future holds. If we knew all that God knew, our flesh would pull back from the very thing that would come into our life to make us strong. We just have to trust His sovereign guidance because He know ALL things.
Monday, August 12, 2013, I turned 57 years old. When I was a child, I thought that was ancient. But now that I am here, I think 100 is attainable.
I must say in all my life, I am probably doing more than I was when I was 30. For the first time Tuesday night, I was able to praise the Lord at church with my tabrets. http://www.tabrets.com/
You wouldn't think a woman at my age would even begin to do such a thing. But just today I was asked to be on dance team, and feel that is an honor and privilege to praise my Lord, dancing through that open door.
How great and marvelous is His name and greatly to be praised!
How blessed I am to know that no matter what I am going through in life, I am under the shadow of His wings. I have chosen to run to the Father above, through His Son, and by His Spirit am able to walk in this life unafraid of what the future holds. If we knew all that God knew, our flesh would pull back from the very thing that would come into our life to make us strong. We just have to trust His sovereign guidance because He know ALL things.
Monday, August 12, 2013, I turned 57 years old. When I was a child, I thought that was ancient. But now that I am here, I think 100 is attainable.
I must say in all my life, I am probably doing more than I was when I was 30. For the first time Tuesday night, I was able to praise the Lord at church with my tabrets. http://www.tabrets.com/
You wouldn't think a woman at my age would even begin to do such a thing. But just today I was asked to be on dance team, and feel that is an honor and privilege to praise my Lord, dancing through that open door.
How great and marvelous is His name and greatly to be praised!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Cupcakes and Ribbons
It is only about a week away from my granddaughter, Alyssa's, 9th birthday. I had decided that I was going to make her an apron since I couldn't seem to find one online or in stores that I liked or were for kids. So Kent bought me an apron pattern at JoAnne's Fabric store, along with ribbon, thread, and D-rings to sew it together with.
I haven't sown anything for years. So getting out the sewing machine itself was a big deal, as I had to have Kent lift it out of the corner of the new room's closet. Then I had to have him thread the machine and fill the bobbin as well. I got out the pattern, and cut out the material by myself. But wouldn't you know when I got to the first step of the pattern, I couldn't figure out the directions they had given for the pocket. So I had to ask for help, again. And that frustrated me. The pattern looked so simple from the package, but why did it have to be so complicated in reality.
Well I didn't feel as bad, since Kent himself, had trouble understanding the pattern's direction. But finally he figured it out, and basically it was somewhat to what I thought it should go. So I finished the pocket, put it on the front of the apron, sewed some narrow hems, made the ties for the sides, and sewed the ties onto the sides.
Before I got to the top part, Kent decided it was lunch time, even though it was later in the day. So I stopped to go and have lunch with him.
So now I must get back to finishing what I started, so I can get it done before supper time.
I haven't sown anything for years. So getting out the sewing machine itself was a big deal, as I had to have Kent lift it out of the corner of the new room's closet. Then I had to have him thread the machine and fill the bobbin as well. I got out the pattern, and cut out the material by myself. But wouldn't you know when I got to the first step of the pattern, I couldn't figure out the directions they had given for the pocket. So I had to ask for help, again. And that frustrated me. The pattern looked so simple from the package, but why did it have to be so complicated in reality.
Well I didn't feel as bad, since Kent himself, had trouble understanding the pattern's direction. But finally he figured it out, and basically it was somewhat to what I thought it should go. So I finished the pocket, put it on the front of the apron, sewed some narrow hems, made the ties for the sides, and sewed the ties onto the sides.
Before I got to the top part, Kent decided it was lunch time, even though it was later in the day. So I stopped to go and have lunch with him.
So now I must get back to finishing what I started, so I can get it done before supper time.
Using my New Cricut Machine
Well, I have been learning how to use the new Cricut Expression 2. I was blessed with it back at the end of May when Kent's boss gave him a $250 Amazon gift card for an award. Kent chose to buy me the Cricut, mats, and some things to go with it. He was surprised, and I was surprised as well. I had just been looking at the machine, but decided it just cost more than I wanted to spend. I wasn't sure how much I would use the machine, so didn't want to waste a lot of money purchasing something I didn't know much about or how much I would use it.
If you are given a gift, there is always a purpose behind it. I should have known that God was going to give me an assignment with the gift.
Right after we got it, I was asked to put together a bulletin board at church. At first I was overwhelmed with the challenge for two reasons. One the board was humongous, 4 feet by 6 feet, and two, I had never worked with cork or put a bulletin board together before. So I asked someone else to see if they could help me out, but it was as overwhelming to them as it was to me. So I finally texted the pastor and said that I just couldn't do it. But she asked me to come into the office the next day and we could talk about it.
Before I even got to the office, the Lord began to put some ideas into my head. And I was encouraged that I could accomplish this by the pastor. So I left with new vision for the board.
As it all began to fall into place, I found that the board was getting smaller by the minute. The board that seemed like a giant was now becoming too small. But at least I had come to the place of being able with my husband Kent's help get it done.
I have had several comments on it that it is great. But without the Cricut machine the Lord had blessed me with, I couldn't have even begun to do such a good job as I did. And without my husband, Kent's, help measuring, it wouldn't be as perfect as it is. It isn't perfect, but more perfect than if I had done it alone.
So I thank God I was able to slay my giant, the giant bulletin board, and learned a few things along the way.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! His grace is sufficient for me!
If you are given a gift, there is always a purpose behind it. I should have known that God was going to give me an assignment with the gift.
Right after we got it, I was asked to put together a bulletin board at church. At first I was overwhelmed with the challenge for two reasons. One the board was humongous, 4 feet by 6 feet, and two, I had never worked with cork or put a bulletin board together before. So I asked someone else to see if they could help me out, but it was as overwhelming to them as it was to me. So I finally texted the pastor and said that I just couldn't do it. But she asked me to come into the office the next day and we could talk about it.
Before I even got to the office, the Lord began to put some ideas into my head. And I was encouraged that I could accomplish this by the pastor. So I left with new vision for the board.
As it all began to fall into place, I found that the board was getting smaller by the minute. The board that seemed like a giant was now becoming too small. But at least I had come to the place of being able with my husband Kent's help get it done.
I have had several comments on it that it is great. But without the Cricut machine the Lord had blessed me with, I couldn't have even begun to do such a good job as I did. And without my husband, Kent's, help measuring, it wouldn't be as perfect as it is. It isn't perfect, but more perfect than if I had done it alone.
So I thank God I was able to slay my giant, the giant bulletin board, and learned a few things along the way.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! His grace is sufficient for me!
Nothing We Do for the Lord is Useless
1 Corinthians 15:58
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
In my devotions this morning, I picked up my New Living Translation Bible to flip through and read some of the things I had written on the side, and this scripture jumped out at me. Since I was getting ready to head to the church to help Sister Eva clean the church, it was quite meaningful.
Sometimes we humans got it all mixed up. We think those who are the greatest are those sitting in the big positions, when that is just the opposite of what Jesus taught. He said the greatest would be the servant of all.
Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
I have never really ever see anyone as dedicated to serving the body of Christ as Sister Eva. From the first time we entered the doors at Faith Center Freeport, she welcomed us with the love of Jesus. I didn't know then how important our relationship would become. But over the last couple of years, we have been leading a Bible study together. Just as she serves at church, she serves here at our home in the same manner. Always being the first to get up and help clean up everything after we have enjoyed good food and fellowship after the Bible study is over. How blessed I have been to have her partner with me in this ministry to other women in my home.
I know the Lord is going to reward her for her labor of love. Nothing she has done for the Lord's service in His kingdom has gone unnoticed and will bring blessings into her life.
It is good to have people in our lives who stirs us to good works.
May the Lord favor her with the desires of her heart.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
In my devotions this morning, I picked up my New Living Translation Bible to flip through and read some of the things I had written on the side, and this scripture jumped out at me. Since I was getting ready to head to the church to help Sister Eva clean the church, it was quite meaningful.
Sometimes we humans got it all mixed up. We think those who are the greatest are those sitting in the big positions, when that is just the opposite of what Jesus taught. He said the greatest would be the servant of all.
Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
I have never really ever see anyone as dedicated to serving the body of Christ as Sister Eva. From the first time we entered the doors at Faith Center Freeport, she welcomed us with the love of Jesus. I didn't know then how important our relationship would become. But over the last couple of years, we have been leading a Bible study together. Just as she serves at church, she serves here at our home in the same manner. Always being the first to get up and help clean up everything after we have enjoyed good food and fellowship after the Bible study is over. How blessed I have been to have her partner with me in this ministry to other women in my home.
I know the Lord is going to reward her for her labor of love. Nothing she has done for the Lord's service in His kingdom has gone unnoticed and will bring blessings into her life.
It is good to have people in our lives who stirs us to good works.
May the Lord favor her with the desires of her heart.
One of a Kind-Broken Mold
Today as I was helping clean the church, someone said to me that they hadn't met anyone like me. The first thing that came to my mind was what my Grandma Rigney use to say to me, "When God made you, He broke the mold." So that is what I shared with this person.
I am not sure what my Grandmother was trying to say to me when she said it. At the time I think I thought that it wasn't a good thing. But over the years I have learned that everyone of us are special...everyone human being is an individual, and God only made one of each one of us. Therefore, He broke the mold on all of us.
David speaks of this in Psalm 139.
Psalm 139:13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Jeremiah reveals how he was set apart for the Lord even before he was formed in his mother's womb.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 NLT
I am not sure what my Grandmother was trying to say to me when she said it. At the time I think I thought that it wasn't a good thing. But over the years I have learned that everyone of us are special...everyone human being is an individual, and God only made one of each one of us. Therefore, He broke the mold on all of us.
David speaks of this in Psalm 139.
Psalm 139:13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Jeremiah reveals how he was set apart for the Lord even before he was formed in his mother's womb.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 NLT
Jeremiah’s Call and First Visions
The Lord gave me this message: I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
So I shared with this person this morning that their mold too had been broken and they were one of a kind.
Meditating on it a little further and remember Pastor Mike Sowell's message on how God has clothed those who believe in Jesus with favor, it just occurred to me what my Grandmother had saw on me. Even when I was young, my grandmother saw the favor of the Lord upon me. His grace was like a shield over me because I was to become co-heirs with Jesus. Despite any sin or mistakes, I was destined to become His, complete in Him, and robed with His righteousness...His grace.
How I awe at how God chose me to become one of His own! By His grace I am what I am...accepted and loved by My Beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thank you Father for loving me first, so that I could love you.
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us
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