Currently Reading One Tuesday Morning By Karen Kingsbury see related

I really am trying......

It has been busy here since softball started here in the lovely land of sunshine.  Our season has been a little rocky so far but we are persevering in spite of our circumstances.  We are again reminded that we are to look at our life so that we do things to the glory of God,  not us, our team, or our school.  That has been a big help in our season so far. 

Easter was good as it was spent with family.  My sister has recently began attending church and even attended a woman's conference this past weekend.  I say Praise The Lord!!  It is one of those things that you pray for for so long and it is just a reminder that He still hears and answers.  We went with her Easter weekend.   It was big enough that she will met a lot of new people but not so big that is overwhelming to her.  We also attended Good Friday services with my husband's family as they participated in their church drama.  It was refreshing to see it presented that way.  Just when you think the Easter story couldn't be told any differently, you find out that God can do just that.

Our oldest will be home after the completion of her first year of college. Yeah!!  She is finished on a Monday but has a class that the prof wants them to sign in on Friday.  Pray that she can get that changed so that she can come home after her last final on Monday.  Pray for us as it will be an adjustment to the differences of schedules that were kept while she was at school and we were at home. 

We are taking Kristen's friend to church with us this evening. His (yes, I said his) name is Devin Wright.  I don't think he has ever been to church before and seemed a little nervous about what to wear.  One of the reasons Kristen invited him tonight is that it will be in the youth center and the atmosphere will be a little more relaxed.  We told him he could wear shorts if he wanted to.  I had him as one of my students a few years back and is a very likable kid and very social.  He and Kristen never seem to run out of things to say or talk about. 

The sermon this morning was titled "The Proof is in the Pudding" We talked about the proof in the promises that Jesus made while on this earth and how he fulfilled every one of them.  The youth led the service and worship and it was a delightful change.

That's it for now.  I have to get my things ready for church tonight.  We are watching a movie and the church is providing subs and pop.  I made a black bean, corn, and tomato sales and green chilies and red onions.  I have never made it but it looks and smells good.  I hope it tastes good as well.

Currently Listening Alabaster Box By CeCe Winans Alabaster Box see related

My, how time does fly.....

Wow, I can't believe it has been a month since I have last updated the 3-4 people that read my blog.  Sorry about that.  It is softball season and that makes evening family time even shorter so I haven't been spending time on the computer.  We are officially on spring break!!!  I will try to do my best to update you on what's been going on.

Ashlee was home the 2nd week in March for spring break.  She worked, helped at ECA's software practices, spent time with her boyfriend Curt, and slept.  We did manage to sneak in a little time with her.  It was so nice just having around again.  She will be home from college in just a few weeks.  This first year has flown by so fast.  God has been good in keeping her safe and healthy and I am thankful for that.  She is still unsure of what she will be doing for the summer.  She has applied to a few places but nothing has come from them.  She has an interview next Tuesday at BSU for the athletic department the next school year.  She is considering a major in sports marketing and would like to work there as a stepping stone.  She even said if it works out, she would be interested in permanent employment after graduation.   I really think she would enjoy that. 

Kristen has had 2 softball games so far and they have lost both games.  They are a young team (1 junior, 2 sophomores, and the rest freshman) so they have a lot to learn.  High school ball is totally different than little league.  They also have some girls with those "better than" attitudes and that is not helping them work together as a team. Pray for that to change and for the coaches to know the best way to handle that.  She is still struggling with making academics a higher priority but softball seems to be helping.  She has been doing better at listening to her parents in some choices she was thinking of making and whether or not that would be the best thing for her.  She didn't understand why I felt the way I did and I told her that this was one of those times where she would just have to trust us to have her best interests at heart.  On this side of that decision, the Lord has shown her that our direction was the best for her.

Duane's work has slowed down some the last few weeks.  He is only working 43-45 hours a week.  Things will be picking back up in another week or two but we are enjoying the slow time right now.  it makes it easier for him to make it to Kristen's softball games which is important to all of us.  He is at church this morning with his "Men's Fraternity" study.  They are meeting today for a few hours since they won't be meeting during spring break and they want to finish up before memorial weekend.  It has made all the difference in him.  He still has some areas that need improvement (but don't we all).  He has been delivered from some very deep strongholds that Satan has had for many, many years.  He is becoming more fun-loving and carefree because of his freedom in Christ and is not living in that fear anymore.  What an awesome God we serve!!  I can't begin to thank Him enough for what he has done for this family.  He is taking a few days off this week and we are going a little south to spend time with family.

My life seems to be going along rather well and I am enjoying that immensely.  Work is good, church is good, my home life is good. I really have no complaints (even though I try once in a while).  I am going to try to catch up on my Beth Moore bible study this week.  I really enjoy it but I have found I don't have much time for leisure reading which is something else I enjoy doing.  This last week in our study, we didn't have much time for disussion and I asked my group what they would like to do, either spend a few minutes on each day of study of have some sharing and special prayer time.  We chose the prayer time.  I realized that we have some deep concerns for the lost and unsaved.  Some of our requests:  One of them has a brother who was just deployed to Iraq; one with an uncle who just found out he has cancer and has less than 6 months to live, even with chemo; for the mission trip some of those from our church are taking this week; keeping our husbands built up and strong in the Lord; respect; and many other unspoken concerns.  It was a great time of sharing and praying for those special needs and bonding together as a group.  As women, it is very hard to find the time to share one on one with other women and I was very grateful for the opportunity. 

I hope that covers the highlights of the last month.  We are heading south this week for family time.  We are also going to do what we call "Goodwill Hunting" while out.  There are a few nice goodwill stores in the areas we are going to and are looking for some good bargains, not to mention the time spent together.  We are also attending the drama at my sister-in-law's church that she and our nephew are in.  Her daughter will be home also and it will be a good time to catch up on things. 

If I don't get to tell you between then and now,  I encourage you to use this coming week to really seek the Lord and understqand just what this season is really about.  For me, it is about a love I could never comprehend but am thankful my heavenly Father saw my need and loved me enough to send a way out of my misery.  Even if I had been the only one to ever need that saving grace, He still would have sent His Son.  That's just howGod is. Have a wonderful Easter season and may God truly bless you and keep you until the day of His returning.

Currently Listening Lifesong By Casting Crowns Does anybody hear her... see related

Does anybody see?

This is part of a line from one of my favorite songs.  I like Casting Crowns and they have a song that asks  ..  Does anybody hear her, does anybody see? 

I haven't updated for a while.  I'm having to get back into the swing of working fulltime.  We haven't had any delays or closings recently so it is an adjustment.  I was able to catch up on my account work and balanced things out for the month.  The only thing is I will need to do it again next week.  I love my job and the work I do.  It has its days but I really can't complain (at least I shouldn't).  The Lord has always blessed me with great work and good people to work with.  Everyone in the office I work in is a christian and to me that is an added bonus. 

Tomorrow is my oldest daughter's birthday.  She will be 19 and this is the first time we have been apart on her special day.  She will be celebrating it with her friends at college.   I can't tell you what we got her for her birthday because she reads this and I want it to be a surprise (I hope you like it). I made the card myself.  They are going to see some local bands perform at a downtown Muncie hang-out.  One of the members from the Campus Crusade band is performing and so a group of girls are going.  I think that sounds like fun.  If I were able, I would have to tag along and hang with them.

Softball officially starts Monday and Kristen is excited.  It has given her the incentive to keep her grades up.  Our policy for playing is more strict than the school.  We won't let her play with any grade below a C.  She actually seems concerned if she doesn't do well in a class or on a test.  She has been studying a little more and managing her time better.  I am proud of the progress she has been making.

Duane is still working 50+ hours a week which is a continued praise.  The Lord has been blessing us in many ways because we are making the sacrifice to put Him and what He wants first. 

We are going out with friends Friday night (Papa Vino's here we come) and then Saturday we are going to some of our other friends to hang out and play games.  Their 3 girls and Kristen get along well and we enjoy their company.  It is a family from our church that we have been friends with for about 23 years.  I'm surprised they still want to do things with us but I am thankful for their friendship.  They are the kind of friends that know all about you but like you anyway.

We had our ladies bible study last night.  It went ok.  Sometimes I feel at a loss of how to encourage discussion in my group.  90% of my group are young moms with young children.  I know their weeks are very busy and they feel very drained.  I asked them last night to think on why they signed up for this bible study and what they expected to get out of it.  Just pray that I will be better prepared to help with discussion by asking questions and encourage participation.

I hope that has helped get everyone up to speed on our comings and goings.  I will try better to keep you posted.

Have a great day and God Bless!

Currently Listening Stand By Michael W. Smith, Michael W Smith Come to the Cross see related

Back to the daily grind.....

Well, I get to return to work after a 4 day weekend tomorrow.  I have been able to get so much accomplished around the house.  I have gotten files cleaned and organized, clothes sorted and donated, pantries and closets organized and I have been able to get some reading done.  I also accomplished filing all of our taxes (Ashlee's included).  Now I can move on to the Financial Aid for the March 1st deadline.  We recuperated from tubing better than we thought we would.  The teens were also fun Sunday night with 25 in attendance. 

Well, I had mentioned that I would like to look into a woman's mentoring program at our church.  Well, it's kind of the be careful what you ask for thing.  I have been asked to be a small group discussion leader for our Beth Moore bible study.  Pray that I will lead the group in the way He would want and that we would draw close to Him and each other.  Our Pastor's wife, Janelle Fosnaugh, will be helping me lead the group as well as the best way to initiate discussion.  I am looking forward to developing that friendship as well as others. 

Tonight, we went to see a friend in the hospital who had suffered a stroke last Tuesday.  The medical staff seem surprised at how fast he is recovering and the progress he is making.  We know it is because of the power of prayer.  We serve an awesome and powerful and loving God.  When I call to Him, his response to me is "Hello Favorite, good to hear your voice."  I am so grateful for new mercy He gives me for each new day.  I praise his name!

Have a great day!

It's hard to keep track of time when we have missed so much school.  We had full days Monday and Tuesday.  We were off Wednesday due to the weather.  We had a full day Thursday and then we are off Friday and Monday for President's Recess.  I did manage to get my taxes done while we were off.  We are having the teens from church over Sunday night so Saturday we also got a lot of cleaning and cooking done as well as listen to 12 hours of Dave Ramsey's radio programs.  We are having pigs in a blanket, chips & dip, veggies & dip, cheese & crackers, homemade chocolate chocolate chip cookies (which my husband made and he makes the best), snickerdoodles, and white cholcolate chip brownies.  Our church rented the warming pavillion Friday night at a local park for family night tubing.  It was so much fun!!  I hadn't been tubing before and it had been since high school that I have even been sledding.  We were making chains forwards, backwards, racing down the hill, and enjoying the time with friends and family.  My nephews were there too so that made it even more fun.  Tonight we are having family movie night complete with popcorn.  We are going to watch 50 First Dates (Kristen's choice).  Facing the Giants wasn't available so this was her choice that was available at the library.  I'm not an Adam Sandler fan but she and my hubby are so I can tolerate it with them.  Hopefully we will have 4 full days of school because I ama getting spoiled working part-time and being home.  I work summer school anyway so the extra days don't really make any difference to me.  It just makes it easier to get up and go to work when I have to do it everday because I am a homebody at heart. 

I hope you have a great day and may the Lord of all creation bless you and keep you.