Must Be Doing Something Right

Sometimes God just gives me a really noticeable "amen." With all the chaos and conflicts of this past year, including the ones we are engaged in right now and...Katherine's health issues, it is hard at times to trust that God is at work. I have really had lots of moments where Jesus could be saying to me, "Why are you kicking against the pricks?" I have wrestled in prayer, not sure anything was ever going to happen! The encouragement we have been getting, the Biblical counsel from our wise pastor and dear friends near and far has reminded us that we must be doing something right to be under such attack!

Icing on the cake today was a face to face encounter with what it looks like when someone is so angry because they can't get control...let me tell you...not pretty! We don't need control, not only of our life circumstances, but not of anyone else's either. We KNOW who holds the future!

I was sitting in church tonight listening to our pastor and rehearsing my year -a song came to mind (not Christian and absolutely unrelated except for one line)...must be doing something right...and suddenly a smile just had to escape! God knows where He wants us to be and I AM SO GLAD He does! I just had to go pray. I went to the altar-not so much to ask God for anything-but to praise Him and lay it at His feet...I was deep in my private sanctuary when I felt an arm around me. (I can't remember the last time I was praying at an altar and someone joined me!) What a blessing to be prayed over in such a way (thanx friend!).

I have such peace at this moment just because I know He is weeding and pruning...and with every cut, I get a little more confident in who He is! Woo Hoo...Yippee...I am on God's side...not kicking...not screaming...not pouting...God's got this!

Staying Connected

Keeping in touch with people and sharing their lives takes time and effort...sometimes I need a reminder of that. I am also learning that relationships are give and take. You can't build a relationship with someone who doesn't contribute anything to it. I can minister, I can share once in awhile, make a phone call, send a note, but relationships can't be forced. When I do try to force them, I end up on the end of a very short stick-giving and being used to meet someone else's need while my needs go totally unnoticed. I am often disappointed when I realize how powerless I am to do anything about anyone else, especially when I had hoped to build a relationship, sustain a relationship, or mend one.

God has opened doors in such expected ways lately! Many people I have given to-those one sided relationships-have dropped out of sight. I am tempted to keep trying...but they aren't really interested so I am filing them away in the ministry folder...pray when God brings them to mind, call if He lays them on my heart, maybe send a note. Others have appeared through doors that I could never have opened myself! I am loving sharing my life with Shelly and Natalie. Shelly just walked into my life and began to share in this remodel with me. The time I have spent with her is priceless! I love her! Natalie was just someone I knew in church, then she came over...those moments spent with her have opened up a myriad of other doors-Facebook for example. Natalie wanted me to get a Facebook account...hmmmm I thought. (Not a big fan of all of that stuff) She sent a request and next thing I knew, my box was flooded with friend requests. As a result I have renewed connections with people I haven't seen or heard from in awhile, and have begun a new friendship with Natalie. :)

There are so many things important in life and so many that aren't.

Encouragement

God is so gracious to always provide in ways beyond my comprehension. I have a sweet friend that pops into my life periodically-always to bless me! I love her muches and muches! I don't always get to spend the time with her I would like as life gets in the way; however, I never leave her presence without being challenged to live my life in such a way that honors the Lord!


Tina... Knowing Jesus is such a wonderful reason to become dear friends with you... I am glad God gave me you when HE did.. our boys growing up together.. coming to know Christ.. the attitude adjustments.. even within our own hearts as we try and discern what God was doing with them.. and then see how God works it all out. Of course I cannot leave out ms. Priss...otherwise known as KAT.. lol.. she was almost 1 when I met her.. that girl.. she practiced then for singing. but it wasn't as lovely then to the ears. as it is now..... screaming .. to endure it .. then to rejoice in what God has done for her through the years.. and now. I cannot put prices on friendships.. but I know that a friend loveth at all times.. all the times I was down and needed a different friend..you'd send notes.. I cherish them still.. and your friendship.. I love to see God's progress in YOU!.. and I will not forget your sweet husband.. that in such a quiet way.. lets you know he respects you and loves you dearly! -Kayla


Thank you, Kayla, for being such a faithful friend to me. Not only do I count you as a true friend and sister, you are one of my heroes. I have had the privilege of watching your family grow in the Lord too! I too cherish every moment, every prayer, every phone call, every gift of your time to us. God always knew what I needed and when I needed it!

Sewing Fever

It is funny how just walking into a fabric store gets the juices flowing! I haven't sewn anything since January, but I have sure been thinking about it. I start musing over craft patterns, curtain ideas, all the variety of fabrics...and then...reality kicks in again...don't really have time for that right now! It is hard enough maintaining the house and getting done what needs to be done without adding another thing!

We started sewing coulottes this week, Tuesday to be exact. Before I cut a single piece of fabric, I had devotions and prayed...then I took a deep breath. I knew I was in for a very long week...sewing 17+ coulottes, having to work, keep up the house, and etc...was not going to be an easy task. The week started with a battle in my own heart-sometimes God has to remind me that just because He burdens my heart about something, doesn't mean everyone has the same concern or burden. I get so frustrated with that! Another Spiritual battle-lack of commitment in people. I was praying about that and as always God opens my eyes to my own life and reveals where I am weak. It sure is easy to look faithful and look committed, but the heart??? A whole other issue...my heart isn't always pure, and I am not always faithful in my heart where it matters the most since God doesn't see like man sees. God has so been working in my heart through a study I am doing on grace, people He is bringing into my life, and just these circumstances of my life.

Sewing....back to the subject. Dived in on Tuesday, and amazingly enough had five pair half way put together in 3 hours. Worked Tuesday night and Wed. morning. Wed. morning, finished one pair completely, cut and sewed part way 3 more. I took that set up to SCA to try them on. With one exception-they were a nearly perfect fit! That has never happened! That is God's hand in answer to prayer and these girls' needs! Still praying...still have lots more to go....and I am feeling the stress in my shoulders and hands. I not only need God to guide my hand, but I need Him to hold back the arthritis in my aging hands long enough for me to complete this task! It is certainly going to be a testimony of His power and His grace...and I LOVE it when He does that!

New Math

1 van plus 1 car plus 1 truck = 3 vehicles, but 3 vehicles- 1 van - 1 car =4: 2 trucks, 1 jeep, and 1 Saturn - 1 truck and 1 Saturn= 2 again. Hmmm?? Confused? Us too...Kat wrecked her Saturn which has now been totalled. We are waiting to hear what the insurance company is going to settle on so we will know what we owe. So we are back at two vehicles, three people, three jobs, and college. Well God always knows...Kat got a new job at Aafes. The job just opened up. She will be working from 2-9ish every day except her class night at the BX which is just a hop, skip, and jump from the education building. She gets out of class at 12ish every day which gives her time to walk over there, get something to eat and maybe do some homework (maybe?). It makes for a long day for her, but steady hours, no real transportation issues (she goes to class and gets off work at compatible times for me to take her and pick her up), and steady pay. Her hours at Kohl's has been so up and down, and she is not making enough to pay her way. Aafes has long term potential for her so who knows...God does!

Speaking of new math-I have been studying for my Praxis II tomorrow. I have been cramming so much information into my little brain that it is having trouble processing the smallest of requests! I couldn't do simple division last night at Sylvan! Decided a night off was in order so I could be fresher today in my review and practice tests. I am in no way ready for this test, but have to plunge in. Maybe with a little grace, the questions I know will be the ones on my test as opposed to the multitude of questions I have no clue on! I am so anxious about it that last night I had one of those high school dreams-the one where you show up late, can't find your class, your seat, your locker, don't have your supplies, pencils, paper, everyone is waiting on you, etc...(I wasn't naked-not the dream where you show up in your underwear). I woke up with a start this morning and then had to smile. That anxiousness over school never seems to go away, no matter how old we get! Tomorrow is the day...have a very full day today-plumber will be here any minute, Kat will be in and out with school and aafes paperwork, and...I needed her help today babysitting Caitlyn. I have no idea how I am going to study and take care of a baby (little out of practice on that one!), but I will sneak it in somehow! Tonight we are taking Todd and Kat out for a steak dinner-repayment to Todd for taking care of the house while we were in NC. I am sure dinner for me will be laced with visions of numbers/letters/symbols dancing in my head!

My book is sitting next to me, baby is stirring-eyes open-better make a bottle, someone is calling....

Old Friends

Things, situations, and even people sometimes come into our life for just a season. I could not begin to count the number of people I have called friends that no longer share my life! For the longest time I thought being a Christian friend meant sharing the rest of my life here on earth with that friend, but it hasn't worked out that way. Many times someone is right there at the right time for that need at that moment, sometimes my need, sometimes their need. I still build relationships on the premise that they will last forever, and I remain in touch as much as possible, but people come and go, circumstances change, and things...my goodness...what little value they have unless we can share those with someone else!

Once in awhile God restores old frienships. People reappear that we haven't seen in a bit. This past week or so has been one of those amazing weeks. We are so thrilled that Tonia (and Caitlyn) are back in our life, and we are equally thrilled to be sharing in Tami, Bobby, Ms. Carol, and Celeste's lives again. I think we met Tami and Celeste when Katherine was five. Kat and Celeste spent much of their early childhood together. They are young women now attending college, but picked up right where they left off! God is so good!

We are in North Carlina right now. We drove 20 hours towing our Ranger (now Rob's) to Robert. It is pretty sweet that we were able to bring it to him. I finally got to give a vehicle away, all made possible by God's amazing grace expressed through the generosity of my mother and father-in-law! If I had thought and thought and thought, I would never have imagined how the flood would have impacted our life, how we would have changed, or who God would have brought back into our life!

Pardon our Progress

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Highest Compliment

My Sunday was certainly a day of worship! Our Sunday School has been on the parables, the past few weeks on the "Lost." Yesterday, I ended that set with the prodigal son and connected all three, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. God impressed upon my heart how precious that one that is lost is and how worth it to Him it is to go look for him, invest in leading him, show him how much Christ loves him. People are worth the investment, although their are times I get a little self centered and forget that.

In between services, Tonia called again. I knew something was going on because she has called twice in one week, and we haven't talked for over a year. We parted paths under less than desirable circumstances...hers was a life I invested in that I thought was wasted time. The hardest part for me has been the realization that it is in our nature to use people to get what we need or want. I am often used and often feel used. People only change when God changes them, we may influence them, but we don't change them.

Tonia has a new baby girl, a beautiful little one, and I am so glad she called to tell me. She brought her by and sat with me a few hours yesterday, sharing what has been going on in her life. She has always been very open...she has shared her life with me now for about 8 or 9 years. I have been there with her with all of her kids, shared my home with her, loved her kids, kept them at times while either parent was gone. She has been like a daughter to me and big sister to Katherine. As she talked, I mostly listened, I heard so much of the same story she has been living for a long time now. She made a choice to live her way, although she knows truth. I didn't share much truth this time, she has heard it from me so many times before. I just listened.

In there somewhere she said that she didn't know if I noticed, but she always popped back in when she needed to renew her spiritual foundation. This was a place she felt loved and accepted. (And here I was feeling used!). I told her I was going to take that as a compliment, because that is exactly was I was trying to achieve. I wanted to build a home that people could walk in and feel completely safe and at home, yet be exposed to who God is, be surrounded by His presence, every wall, every space here be a convicting presence. Guess I underestimated who God is...He knew where Tonia was all along, hadn't abandoned her, knew her need, burdened her heart to call me and come by, and began a healing process to heal old wounds! In the time He was working in her, He was also working in me, pruning out that which is keeping me from bearing fruit. It is so hard to love, to have joy, peace, longsuffering, be gentle and good, have faith, meekness, and temperance, when you are focused on self and allow bitterness and anger to take root! Lord, prune away, every soul that you bring into my life is worth it!

TGIF

Wow what a week this has been...work has been very busy...and the week has been nonstop action! I came home last night after work to a house full of people. Kat and I went grocery shopping yesterday so she could cook pizza last night and bake cookies with Todd. I expected them to be here. In addition, Joe, Shawna, and Drew were here. Shawna had emailed me, but I hadn't read my mail. She came to work. Drew had talked to Steve about computer problems, so Steve knew he was coming. Kat had text Joe to stop by because I had bought him a "thank-you" gift for doing such a great job on our yard. So...of the three of us...none of us completely communicated all of this to the other, so each of us was surprised by who showed up!

Just a little chaos....and the whole week has been just like that...people in and people out! This week we have been to the vet and the mechanic, seen and talked to people which have been estranged...and amazingly enough...gotten something done on the house!

I have so many moments where I am trying to figure everything out... not sure of myself or what I am doing...and again God intervenes. Joe shows up, Tonia calls. I hurt so much when Joe and Kat separated, not just for her, but because I really believed God brought Joe into our life. It took me a long time to get past that he wasn't going to be the one for her, and now that she is pursuing a new relationship, and I am seeing a few more pieces of the puzzle, I understand a little more that God is working in all of them to accomplish His purposes- not mine. I had hoped that everyone could get past the pain, and we could again share our life with Joe. I have been praying for him as if he was my very own son, and God is answering. He can finally come here and be comfortable. Kat and he are talking now as friends, and he is stepping into more of a brother role in her life. When he heard what Chris had done to her, he got all bent out of shape and called Chris. He met Todd last night and apparently liked him-might be a good sign. Tonia-hadn't heard from her since last March. We had tried and tried to help her, give her a refuge, encourage her to set her feet back towards Christ, but she still went her own way-we parted paths, and it wasn't pretty. All our efforts felt futile, but she called. The door is open again in both hers and Joe's life. It is quite encouraging to know that our God is longsuffering, and He isn't done yet! Still have my family before me, and the struggle to communicate with them in an effective way...am already feeling used in this situation...already struggling with my attitude, but God is grace.

I am really glad today is Friday! The week isn't quite over and there is still lots of work ahead this weekend, but...it is Friday...and Sunday is on the way!

Dusting

Remember the dust I was complaining about? Yep, everywhere. When we sand, it completely covers us and everything else in the house. Really hard to get up. My hair (and Shelly's) turned grey instantly. (Wait..maybe we are just getting old before our time!LOL). Notice-I put her pix up and not mine; don't want to envision myself grey!

We sanded some more last night, and vacuumed, and...forgot to close our bedroom door so the room is now covered with dust! Guess I should get right to...dusting....

Closing In

We have really made headway this weekend. (Please forgive me for not getting pictures taken-been slacking in that area, but I promise, more on the way!) We have Alex's room, the hallway, our room (except the closet), and the living room nearly completely done with sheetrock, float and tape. YEA! We worked our you know whats off to get it done and get ready to paint. We are FINALLY almost to the primer stage. A few more touch ups in those rooms, some sanding, and we are there! I am really excited about being this close. A house looks totally different with walls, the space is definitely closing in! :)

Next: order doors for those rooms...and hopefully the window guy will be ready to install windows in those rooms soon, and then...drum roll please...floors! Yippee

My Mentor

Not really having a mother I can really talk to, confide in, or go to for advice has left a huge void in my life. My relationship with my mom is a formality-she is my mother; I respect that, and I honor her, but that is not a relationship.

I didn't have a mom to teach me the things daughters learn from their moms. I remember when I was pregnant with Katherine, someone said to me that maybe God knew I hadn't been ready for a girl before, and I hadn't been. Up until Daniel was born, I didn't wear dresses at all. When I graduated high school, I had one dress, the one I bought for graduation! I didn't know how to wear make up, dress up, carry myself, or conduct myself like a woman should. Every detail about being a woman, I learned from other women, not my mom.

In God's grace, He always provides. Ms. Mary Ann has been one of those women God brought into my life to teach me. Ms. Mary Ann has been my Spiritual mom and mentor for years. She is the one I go to when I need help and counsel. When I want to run away-I run to her. I know she will be honest and true. She will encourage me in the faith, share her own heart and experiences with me, and point me back in the right direction. She has been there as my children were growing, and now she teaches me how to live with the adults my children have grown to be.

Today, we went on Sunday School visitation together and after spent a few hours just talking. I walked away with a little more confidence, a little more wisdom, and a little more resolve to live in the truth of God's Word!

All in a Day

We have been home from Florida nearly a week already! We took Monday night off to recoup, but Tuesday was a buzz. I got home from work, and the Willis team was hard at work. Walls were floated and more sheetrock was going up. Rich, Doreen, Sonja and Alex were also here contributing to the renovation. Steve came home from work last night and went right to work framing the last wall in our bedroom. Very little left to do in there before it is ready to paint! YEA! (might be primering that tonight)

Yesterday was my clean up the house day. I spent most of it doing basic house chores. Alex was with us since Sonja had to work and Rich was out of town. Alex helped with the housework, cut some of the yard, and meandered around the property. He is a very touchy feely young man and tends to follow us around the house. That is going to take some getting used to!
He is excited about his room, and a new school, and even the uniforms which is very new to him!

Kat and I both had to work so Alex was left at home by himself for about 2 1/2 hours. We gave him implicit instructions as to what he could and could not do. :O) I walked in from work to a very bored Alex! He chatted and chatted, and then confessed everything he did while I was gone! Tooooooooo funny! His uncle told him not to touch any tool or weapon of any sort. Kat told him to lock the doors, so he decided to lock the doors, but realized his uncle's pellet pistol was outside. He thought he should bring that in, but the problem....can't touch it. He then decided to get a papertowel to carry it with (not touching it!). He did that and brought it in, but then realized we would notice it had been moved so carried it right back to where it was!!!! Of course he had to do a little exploring, so he checked out the attic and the closets..when I returned, he gave me a full report of what he found!

The best part of our time with him yesterday was a one on one conversation with him about church. He didn't have any clothes to wear, so I took him to Old Navy. He picked out a suitable outfit in a price range I was willing to pay, and we headed back. I told him he was going to need some church clothes-his response, "I don't go to church." I informed him that he did now! Determined not to make the same mistakes I have made in the past, I pursued a conversation about why we go to church, heaven and hell, the truth about where we are as sinners. He talked and shared what he believed, and I asked a lot of questions. He was very responsive and attentive, and I know he has been challenged to rethink his position. I did share the gospel with him, but did not push him for a decision. He was under the impression it was about good works, and now he has a greater understanding that we aren't good enough. He is not saved, but the seed has been planted, a door opened, and he is thinking.

All these times my family has been with me for whatever reason....I get busy with the incidentals, cleaning, cooking, balancing so many people in one house, and forget that the most important need isn't all the outside stuff, it is the inside. If my family comes to know Jesus Christ and commits to serving Him then what on earth does anything else matter?

We all went to church, even though my sister was very tired...oh yea...when it came time to get ready to go, Sonja acted like she didn't want to go. I told her we were going; it was up to her whether she did or not. Alex jumped right in-he suddenly wanted to go to church! Yippee! (He sat by me and cuddled up next to me :)

On a less Spiritual note. We had the privilege of meeting Todd last night. He is a friend of Kat's that she met through Chris. They have been talking back in forth for a bit now. He came over and had a dinner on the run (had to get ready for church), joined us at church, took a tour of our construction zone, and hung out with us for awhile at Starbucks. It was really a blessing to meet a young man that acted his age and then some. I told her she was definitely stepping up her game...this one does not fall into the "bad boy" class that she usually is attracted to. (She told me she likes the country boy look, ok, but that is not the same as the bad boy image!) He acted and dressed appropriately, no backwards ball cap, no holes in the jeans, has life goals and plans, and attended church before he met her! I am always impressed by single gi's that attend church on their own, no family connections or community connections, but seek out a place to attend. It is really hard to stand on your faith when you are standing alone. Military life is anything but encouraging in the faith realm (at least in my opinion!). Right now the two of them are building a friendship which is a really good place to start! And...she is reading about dating and relationships-God is working in her to show her truth, and she is listening!

All in a day....what will this day hold?

Conversations...

"Hey mom, I was thinking...let's sheetrock the house. We sure could use some new walls, and this open wall thing...not too much privacy."

"Ok, good idea...it is going to be a lot of work, but maybe we can get some help with it."

"Yea, it is work, but...hmmm...let's see..."

Brrrrrinnnnngg...."Hello?" "Yea, trying to get a little more done before we leave for Florida." "Don't have much time today" "Anything would be great."

"So how does that insulation thing work again?" "Thought it would be thicker, but it sure does dry fast!" "Insulation is in, so let's get this show on the road!, what's next?"

Sheetrock...

"Ok, Rich...where does that socket go for sure?" "Honey, it is backwards, needs to go up." "Ya sure?" "Oops..my bad." "That still isn't right." "My bad again." "Third times a charm."

"Veronica, want to come hang with us?" "Sure." "K..Kat, you and Vero get to mudding." " Alright mom" "No, no, no, not each other...the walls." "Veronica, sheetrock knife...not your fingers."

"What can we do to help?" "Want to mud? "Sure" "Wait, a sec..I don't know...." "No, really, we can do it, here is how." "Now, let's sand." "Ya'll need masks, too much dust.""Stop..need a family portrait"

Many hands make light work, inspire us to keep going, make the job less burdensome, and give us some time of sweet fellowship! Thanks for your time, you were an encouragement to us this week, at a time when we needed it most!

Demo crew

What a time we had last night! My sister-in-law is cooking for us this week. (We worked out a deal, she made the menu and grocery list, I went shopping for us, and she is cooking)! They were over, and we invited the Dial family over to eat with us, and while here, they lent a hand! We don't discriminate against age here, where else can kids safely take a hammer to a wall or write on the floors??? (Any interested applicants for the demo crew must apply directly with Keila-she knows how to swing a hammer!) Dan helped Rich and Steve take down the walls in Kat's room, and offered to come help us with the sheetrock. Turns out, he used to sheetrock. God does send the right people at the right time...the extra help sheetrocking will expedite the process greatly! The demo has taken so long, but we're down to the kitchen, bathrooms, and the main guest room...and since those rooms connect to other rooms, they are partly done too. Steve figured out our insulation problem yesterday, so that will be resolved this week. The flooring guy is going to call me with a quote today; prayerfully it will be within budget! Hmmm...might be walls and floors in my future yet!

Knowledge is meant to be shared

As a teacher, I certainly knew that...but this weekend that truth is even more real to me. Rich, Steve, and Taylor worked on taking up the subfloor in our dining room..worked REALLY hard. It had soooooooooo many nails in it that it took hours of hard labor. Along comes Ronnie...not only did he survey the house, what we were doing and what we needed to be doing, he suggested how to get that piece of floor up without the backbreaking labor. The guys heeded his advice and sawed up a section. Doing that allowed us to survey underneath to see what needed to be done. He also took a look at the joists in our room. Steve had tried to figure out how to level it, Ronnie knew how to do it and did in no time at all. He used a level to match the ends and ran a string diagonally across the room to level the middle. With a sledge hammer, he moved the joists to the needed height and secured the support beams in place with concrete screws. The room is now completely level. Steve just has to shim some of the concrete supports and add screws to the other side to finish the process. Steve had thought it would have to be completely rebuilt; we are so glad that wasn't the case! How we appreciate the help! He took time out of his day, spent a few hours with us, and gave us years of his knowledge and experience. Kayla and I took stock too...she went over cabinetry, flooring, counters, and color schemes with me. She even stopped by Lowes and picked up samples of counter tops so we could put it all together. We needed another set of eyes, and more sets of hands! Doreen cooked dinner for all of us-feeding a really hungry crew is more help than she probably realizes! Thanks so much everyone! God sends the right people at the right time and truly knowledge is meant to be shared.

Small Opportunities

"God's plan for every believer is made up of a lifetime of small opportunities. No matter what our career or calling may be. We should each seek ways to serve the Lord daily. We do this by ministering wherever we are to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers."

In Touch with Charles Stanley (online daily devotional, Friday, July 11, 2008)

www.intouch.org

A lifetime of small opportunities...I always want to be the Mary that sits at Jesus' feet soaking up His word, but find I am running around-often in circles-to accomplish whatever needs to be done-the Martha (Luke 10:38-42). I am encouraged to know that BOTH are needed, sitting at Jesus' feet and service. How can I serve if I am not first equipped with the power of God's Word?

My dear friend, Kayla, is back in Shreveport. She was one of the first people I met when we moved here nearly 19 years ago. Her boys and mine grew up together. Throughout the years, when others have come and gone, she has been a faithful friend...telling me what I needed to hear, not always what I wanted, always pointing me to Christ. She is also my interior decorator! She helped me when we first moved into this house! LOL. Last night, we walked through and discussed options. I enjoyed the fellowship with her over dinner (which Kat cooked!) and her insight. She had a viable theory on our crop circle (a well or septic system..hmmm???). She had a lot of good ideas for our reconstruction, and her hubbie is going to come by this weekend and lend us his expertise. We haven't had much outside help, so everything offered is much appreciated. I am just glad she is home, and I get to glean from her. Today, we are taking an afternoon off and going swimming together!