He's in the Army now!

Where has the time gone? He was so young, the sweetest boy you could imagine. Then he grew up. Right in front of my eyes, he became a young man. I'm not sure I realized it was happening so quickly, going from boy to obnoxious teenager to young adult. Did I look away for a brief second? Was that when it happened? All I know is that the last 18 years have flown and he's ready to spread his wings and fly. Two weeks ago, he walked across the stage and became a high school graduate. What happened to grades 1-11? Next month on July 16, he will leave for basic training, having chosen to trade college colors for Army green. I am proud, prouder than I ever thought possible of his decision to serve and protect the freedom we cherish.

A part of me is happy.  After almost 40 years with a child in my house, it's time for a little empty nest. I know I'm going to miss him, the sweet goofy kid who knows exactly how to push my buttons, but I know in my heart he's ready to forge ahead and make a life of his own.

Hopefully he has learned the order of things: God, family, friends.  May those lessons guide him as he enters this next chapter of his life.  So when you think of him, say a little prayer, a prayer for wisdom, protection and guidance............

Life is like a cup of coffee......

A few days ago, a friend walked in my office with the words, "Let me give you my 30 second view of life." He proceeded to hold out his cup of coffee and tell me this story. The words are his and hopefully I can do them justice.



In the beginning there is life as we know it. This is the cup of coffee, that fragrant brew some of us love to savor. At this point you are born and become the spoon of cream dropped into the cup of coffee. As you age, you begin to seep into the coffee leaving it different than before you arrived. As the entire cup becomes colored by the cream, your life comes to an end as well.



As I pondered his words, I suddenly found meaning in the story. Will the coffee of life be changed by my exisitence? Will people know by looking at the cup that I made a difference? My prayer is that long after I cease to be part of this life that someone will remember............the change I brought.

What am I going to do with these people?

Exodus 17:1-4 Contemporary English Version

1The Israelites left the desert and moved from one place to another each time the LORD ordered them to. Once they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for them to drink. 2The people started complaining to Moses, " Give us some water!" Moses replied, " Why are you complaining to me and trying to put the LORD to the test?" 3But the people were thirsty and kept on complaining, " Moses, did you bring us out of Egypt just to let us and our families and our animals die of thirst?" 4Then Moses prayed to the LORD, " What am I going to do with these people? They are about to stone me to death!"

Poor Moses! As I read more of Exodus, I feel sorry for him. Here, he has taken on Pharaoh and brought the Israelites out of bondage and all they do is complain. Really? Would you rather be oppressed by the Egyptians, than to be out of Egypt and moving toward the Promised Land? It seems that might be the case. If I were Moses, I might even be ready to send them back to captivity.

Is this how we are with God? Are we content with our lot in life or do we complain? Is the grass greener in our neighbor's yard? Do we want to grab hold of the worldly things we released when we became His? In our humanness, I see the tendency to do just that. Does the Lord look down on us and say, " What am I going to do with these people?" I think perhaps He does, and it makes Him sad to know that at times He is not enough, when He should be. Sometimes, I can hear His voice whispering in my ear, "What does it take? Am I not all you need?"

What if He truly was enough, all the time, in everything? In this year of being better, I plan to work on relying on Him for all my needs (not just the things I think I can't do). While I will never get it all right, I can be less of a complainer. I'm sure God will appreciate it!

The Year of Being Better........

Okay everyone, don't get grammatical on me since this post is from the heart. Do you ever get the feeling that you could have done better? As a wife, as a mother, as an employee, or even as a Christian? 2010 closed with all those feelings swimming around in my head. I'm not a bad person, but I realized there was so much I could have done better. That said, 2011 is going to be the year of being better.


My prayer is that I will first be a better Christian, pray more, study His Word more, love Him more. I also want to be a better wife, to be kinder, more loving, generous, respectful....all those things that sometimes I am not. I plan to work on this mothering thing, too. To see my children through the eyes of Jesus.....to be respectful, kind and loving, even when I don't feel that way at all. I'm a pretty good employee, but there are things I can improve on and I'm working to be all I can be.


That said, I look back to the first line of the previous paragraph. If I become a better Christian all the other things should follow, right? At least that's my way of thinking. I read a post on a friend's facebook page, a quote from Rick Warren that says, "Every room of your heart not filled with Jesus will be filled with worry". I think it can be said that if those rooms are devoid of Jesus, Satan will have the opportunity to fill it with more than worry! So praying, studying His Word and loving Him more will help fill those rooms with the good things God has to offer. He alone can provide all, even more than we can ever need. So with His divine help, I plan on 2011 being better, better and better!

Christ gives me the strength to face anything. Philipians 4:13 (CEV)

Remodel Progress - Post 1

A lot has happened since my last post. My coat closet is now my pantry! See the photo here.

The former pantry, now resides in the computer/workout room. It has been repurposed to house all our computer and printer stuff (one day soon). See photos below!

Which left a wall that now looks like this:

After my sweey hubby cut a whole in this wall which used to house the pantry!

More to follow...........

DIY Home Improvement Projects - 2010

Ever had the urge to change things around the house? Me, too! Sometimes my ideas are small and require minimal effort. However, from time to time, the plans are much grander. Here is our list of 7 home improvement projects to complete before Thanksgiving.

1. Enlarge our patio area.

2. Turn closet near kitchen into a pantry.

3. Remove pantry cabinet in kitchen and replace with base cabinet and perhaps a wall cabinet. The pantry cabinet will be repurposed in the computer room or Bob's shop. Cut pass through in wall between kitchen and great room.

4. New countertops for the kitchen! WooHoo!

5. Remove carpet in great room, hallway and computer/workout room. Replace with tiles that resemble wood flooring. Since we cannot match the tiles currently in our kitchen and entry, we will remove and replace those as well. These tiles are not costly and easily replaced when I decide (in a few years) to change!

6. Remove cabinets over toilets and replace with smaller ones. Paint vanities (any color but WHITE)! The cabinets we remove will be used in the laundry room.

7. Paint for great room and kitchen, possibly the hall as well.

My hubby is a great handy man and number 2 on our list is already complete and he is working on number 3. I love that man. I will be posting pics as we complete each project!

Life at this Moment

Share a few of your summer goals:

1. Make jelly. There's just something about homemade.
2. Purge my closet. I have too many clothes!
3. Redecorate my bedroom. It's time.

I'm listening to: fussy children (not mine)

I'm reading: the Bible (need to work on that)

I'm thinking about: Zambia and leaving a 16 year old in the care of friends.

I am inspired by: people who love our country enough to die for it!

5 favorite links:
1. The Star Spangled Banner
2. Jesus, Struck by Lightning
I only came up with two:)

Picture of the week: This is where I spend most of my day.

Join in the fun and tell about your life at this moment over at Not Your Everyday Cinderella.

Countdown to Zambia - 89

Hope no one is paying strict attention to my countdown. After searching for the best rate for airline tickets, our trip has been adjusted just a bit. Great news....the tickets have been purchased! Both the hubby and I have appointments for our immunizations later this week. Hopefully, the passports will arrive in a couple of weeks. Everything seems to be falling into place. Zambia, here I come!

We Love Mr. Bob.......

Bob's birthday was April 8th. Around our house birthdays are celebrated but not in a huge way...usually we dine out with the Birthday Boy or Girl selecting the restaurant. There are gifts involved, too but nothing extravagant. This birthday turned out to be something really special. Let me fill you in.........

After leaving the workforce in 2008, Bob took care of the house and our family while I worked. He did an amazing job but missed the routine of a regular job. In August of 2009, the Redland Elementary School (RES) opened its doors. The men of our church directed traffic the first few weeks of August. It soon became apparent that traffic control would be needed each morning, so Bob now had his job! The school and its faculty and students soon became very special to Bob and he to them. So on the morning of his birthday, he was greeted with a HUGE sign, plus lots of birthday wishes. After traffic duty was over, he was given a tour of the school and visited every classroom. There he was showered with gifts, cards, songs and so much more, pure LOVE!

In the end, he came away with more Snicker bars and cokes than anyone should need plus lots of gift cards for food and fishing gear. It is quite clear that RES loves Mr. Bob, and I do, too!

Countdown to Zambia - 97

A lot has happened since my last post. We were going to Africa, then we weren't going to Africa, now we are going again! My son will be staying home in the care of good friends and family while my husband and I will make the long journey to Zambia with 7 other church friends. The best part of this story is that my BFF and her hubby will be on the trip as well. There is a lot to do in the remaining days....but we've made a start. Passports are applied for, immunizations are next on the list (we are blessed to have already taken several of the reccomended ones) and a multitude of forms are yet to be completed. My goal is to keep you up to date on the preparations. I also covet your prayers as God leads me to my area of service while abroad.

Countdown to Zambia - 141

Hebrews 11:1 (New Living Translation)
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Praying daily for God to use my family in a mighty way to bless the people of Zambia!

Countdown to Zambia - 142

142 days and counting until my first mission trip! On July 22, I hope to be part of a team travelling to Zambia! For a girl who has never travelled farther than Canada, that is quite an undertaking. The best part is my family will be joining me....how much better can it get? While I am not sure how this will happen financially, I am trusting God to provide the means for us to travel. So prayer warriors.....pray for God to open doors so we can minister to the Zambian people!

Today........

Sometimes in the rush of things we forget the simple pleasures. Today, I am thankful for a God who loves me, the sunshine on my face, the love of a good man, a great place to work, great people to work with, and good friends. Ain't life grand................

Venting......

Life is sometimes unpredictable and sometimes life is complicated by unknown things. I went to work early today, worked through lunch and left early to attend my son's baseball game. After rushing home, changing into clothes appropriate for 30 degree temps later tonight and rushing to arrive at the ballfield on time, we were greeted with.........NOTHING! The game had been cancelled but my son could not call me because he can't find his cell phone. I guess the school or his teammates do not have phones. I was happy for the hour long wait at practice to calm my mind. We did discuss that consideration of other people is vitally important in life. Hopefully it's a lesson learned. Now if he can just find that phone:)

Missing My Mother

It's taken me over a month to write this post about losing my mother. The reality of it is still difficult to comprehend. My faith lets me know that she is in a much better place today. There is no pain and she is able to do all the things she could not in the last months of her life. She left this life with dignity, the way she wanted. I'm thankful that she was clear about how she led her life and how she chose to leave this life. It made it easier for us (the daughters) to make those critical decisions. I'm also greatful for Southern Care Hospice. The round-the-clock care during the last days were a blessing. She left us peacefully on November 6 with all her children at her bedside. The service on the following Sunday was a perfect tribute to a great lady. I've celebrated my first birthday without her and the holidays are definitely not the same. Life goes on, just differently. She was a wonderful mother and I miss her.............. Just as a side note, take every opportunity to tell your mother how much you love her. Time is too short to let those moments pass.

Is It REALLY November?

I'm sure someone must be mistaken....the calendar must be wrong.....November 1st.....you must be kidding! My mother always told me that the older you get the faster the years go by. It seems she was correct. Only yesterday we were celebrating New Year's Eve. Only yesterday spring had arrived. Only yesterday summer was in full bloom and then another school year began. Where did all the days go? Was I napping? Not sure what happened but the end of this year is fast approaching.

He's 15!

Today is Richard's 15th birthday. Where have the years gone? It seems only yesterday he was a baby, all cuddly and sweet. Now he's a strapping teenager, all sweaty and smelly (especially after ball practice). He's now a freshman in high school and will go tomorrow and take his driver's test for the all important permit. I'm sure I will turn around shortly and he will be away at college. Time flies.....savor the moments, good and bad, happy and sad. Before long they are grown and gone, living lives of their own.

It's Addictive.......

I've decided that blogging is addictive, but I've also decided it's better to blog than to eat, since blogging has no calories. Recently, my friend, Lisha started a food blog as a way to relieve her anxiety about cooking and meal planning. I really enjoyed reading her posts but knew I did not not have time to invest in another online task. Well, I was wrong! After a few weeks, I could not help myself, so I created my newest endeavor. Check it out!

Taking Time..................

Recently the pastoral staff at my church has been taking the congregation Back to School. One of the earlier "classes" was reading class. Professor H encouraged us to start reading the Bible. He proposed that we use a system developed by The Navigator Group. Part of this system is journaling and I'm finding it to be a great tool in going over what I've read for the week. The Navigators have a form you can use to document the scripture you've read, plus list any thoughts, etc. that you might have on that scripture. There's also a place for prayer requests and praises. Another tip from the Professor was to write in your Bible with pencil (really liking this tip). As part of my family's accountability to reading, we are meeting with other families in a small group setting each Tuesday evening for one hour. This allows us to share insight into our reading for the week, but also to hear what the others have learned. We missed last week due to a family illness, but look forward to spending time in the Word with our friends tonight. I personally take time to do a lot of things that are far less important than reading the Bible. I plan on taking time to read..................

Busyness Business.......

Seems like I've been away for a while, but things have been ...busy. I'm convinced that life was better in a sense when I was young (back before electricity). Things moved slower.....we had fewer distractions to overload our schedules. Early to bed and early to rise was the rule not the exception. We worked hard, in school or at our place of employment, but we played hard as well (not in front of a TV either). Leisure hours were spent outside in the yard or on the front porch. Just thinking of the swings and rockers makes me smile. People took time to visit...share a meal or dessert. You did not have to call and make an appointment, either, just show up and knock on the front door. This busyness business has gotten the best of our culture......I'm thinking it's time to slow down................