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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Wait...My Child


Desperately, hopelessly, longingly, I cried.
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait!'

"Wait?, you say, wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have you not hear?
By faith I have asked, and am claiming Your Word."

"My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and You tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign."

"And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, as we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.
All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want...but, you wouldn't know Me."

"You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faith;
You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence were all you could see."

You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save...,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart."

The flow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last."

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for thee.'
Your dreams for your loved ones overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you!"

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me
And though oft may My answers seem terribly late,
My wisest of answers is still but to wait."

Thursday, January 28, 2010

A Photo Memory


I thought it would be fun, to try something new and share a photo memory! This was taken in Haven, Kansas spring of 09! Notice the hair? If you look closely you might be able to tell that my bangs were not even...I had just gotten a horrible haircut from Mastercuts, a salon in the mall in Hutchinson, Kansas. My bangs were not the worse of it even though they are at least an inch shorter than I wanted and they slope...I simply went to get a hair trim and came out with much worse. I don't think the lady particularly enjoyed her job-she was full of complaints. I should of got out of the chair when instead of washing my hair she just took a spray bottle to it and "spot treated" the section she wanted to cut. When I stood up from having my hair cut, Joseph was like, "are you sure you want to go out like that?" And, the guy sitting next to him, took one look at my hair and promptly left before they could take clippers to his hair! My hair was cut uneven...the right side was an inch shorter than the left. When I brought this to my stylists attention she said it was because I was wearing my glasses; but even after taking my glasses off-it was still uneven! She then decided to "fix" it...after about 4 attempts of trying to "fix" my hair-I had had enough and chose to leave! The back side of my hair was cut very jagged and literally a chunk of hair was taken-giving me a small bald spot! After this horrible experience, I was so much more appreciative of my normal hair stylist-who I had been going to for 3 years! I appreciated her, even though by the time I was able to get to her and have my hair fixed she could not stop laughing at the horrible hair job!

Others May; You Cannot -by G. D. Watson (1845-1924).

If God has called you to be really like Jesus He will draw you into a life
of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience,
that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by
other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other people do
things which He will not let you do.

Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful, may
push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans,
but you cannot do it, and if you attempt it, you will meet with such
failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of
their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such
thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification
that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy
left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor, because He wants
you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence
upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by
day out of an unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden
in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for
His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let
others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him
and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without
knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more
precious He may let others get credit for the work which you have done,
and thus make YOUR REWARD TEN TIMES GREATER WHEN JESUS COMES.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and
will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time,
which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind
that God is an Infinitely Sovereign Being, and has a right to do as He
pleases with His own. He may not explain to you a thousand things which
puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell
yourself to be His love slave, He will wrap you up in Jealous Love, and
bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the
inner circle.

Settle it forever, then that you are to DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE HOLY
SPIRIT, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or
chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that He does not seem
to use with others. Now, when you are so possessed with the living God
that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this
PECULIAR, PERSONAL, PRIVATE, JEALOUS GUARDIANSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OVER YOUR LIFE, then you will have found the vestibule
of Heaven.

I need a title?

I am tired, yet I cannot sleep-I really hate nights like this! You would think that after a very busy week and a half that I would not be able to get enough sleep as I also realize how very busy the upcoming month will be.
This past Monday I played substitute teacher once again. This time I taught 4-6th graders and I realized there is a reason that I taught Kindergarten-1st grade, basic addition is easier than long division! It was so pathetic! I had to look at the answer and then from there figure out how to do the math problem and some of it I couldn't even figure out! How stupid am I? I'm 27 and can't even do a 6th graders math anymore! Give me K-2nd grade anytime and maybe 3rd grade, as long as they are not doing any form of division!
Tonight Joseph preached at our home church! I appreciated my husband bearing his heart and letting others see his "soft" side-a side he doesn't reveal very often. I know he didn't have peace about anything that he wanted to preach about and I think he just let the Lord speak through him the best he could.
Friday, I am going to spend my birthday money and get my hair done. I have been trying to grow my hair out and its the longest its been in a long time! I like it so far and plan on just getting a slight trim and a hair color as well! Happy birthday to me with a new look!
Why do I blog? I've been thinking alot about this lately, whats my purpose for doing this? It is fun and even though I don't devote sufficient time to this, I really do enjoy it and hope that my readers enjoy all of my posts. Initially, I started the blog to be a weekly update of deputation travels and then I started to be more personal with it. Shouldn't I be allowed to be honest and share my burdens/heartaches? Isn't it okay to let you know, to some degree, the journey the Lord has me on and the lessons He is teaching me. Sometimes those lessons are not just learned on the road, they are learned at home and in the "waiting" of my life. I hope that maybe through this part of my life that you get to read, that you can learn from my mistakes and maybe learn from my journey! My life as well as yours, should be a life that God can use to be an example...

Thursday, January 21, 2010

I Give This Up To You

Lord, help me to know that You are enough. Take my eyes off of myself. Take my eyes off of the baby I desire. Mold the desires of my heart to be in line with Your will. I don't want to need to be a mother more than I need to be your humble, obedient child. I don't want wanting to have a baby be a stumbling block between You and me anymore.

Lord, I want to give this desire, this drive, this ache up to You. Help me not to snatch it back as I so often do with the burdens I place in Your hands. Help me to be truly content with Your will and Your timing. Lord, You know that I still desire a baby-someone to mold, teach, train, shape, guide, and help to grow in You. But until the day You give me that joyous blessing, help me to grow in You. Let me reach out to those around me. Let me witness and minister to the children You place in my path.

Lord, prepare our hearts for whatever path You lead us to. If we are headed in the wrong direction, change our hearts.

Thank You for lifting my burden. Help me to keep You first. Help me to fully trust in You alone. Let me seek Your face daily, and let me know that YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Learning

"That is not the way my teacher does it!" This has become a common phrase to my ears in the last few days as I have been a substitute teacher! I have been teaching kindergarten, which does bring back alot of memories from my 3 1/2 years of teaching kindergarten and first grade. I have had fun; but its no longer the same! Cappuccino prices have risen, I tire easily and I don't find it cute anymore when the kids make "fools" of themselves without even realizing what they are doing and I'm now married! I also have realized there is a reason that the wife is not to be the "bread winner" in the home...its hard to work full time and feel as if I am properly taking of my home and husband. I get home from a long day of teaching and its off to our next event of the evening and then we finally get home at the end of the day I am just ready for bed and fall asleep in the middle of conversation that I am supposed to be carrying on with my husband! Yes, I will be more than willing to sub again; but to teach for the rest of my life as my calling-those days are long gone!
I cannot believe it; but my time at home is quickly fading away. Basically, in just another week it will be off to Georgia for a missions conference. It will be crazy as we will leave there on a Saturday morning and will need to be in Illinois the following morning! It will be quite a welcome back to the road event!
This weekend we are hopfully having friends over for Wii and homemade pizza! I don't think we really have anything else planned for the weekend. I am looking forward to just maybe having a lazy weekend...but then I think of all the housework that needs to be done and things that need to be done before we get back on the road and I realize it probably will not be a lazy weekend.
Also, my 28th birthday is quickly approaching. I am so thankful for this life God has given me. It seems there is always something I could complain about if I really wanted to; but the Lord has taught me that no matter what situation He has me in, or has brought me through-my life, today-is always more than I deserve. Sometimes, I admit it is hard to remember and be thankful for everything and that is why I am on this journey of finding contentment and being thankful always for my life-even when my life isn't going as planned. I admit, I honestly thought that by the time my birthday rolls around that I would be holding a baby of my own or at the very least would be pregnant. My thoughts are not God's way and His thought for my life is so much better than what I can even imagine and so I pray that as I turn 28 that I will be simply thankful for my life and what God has chosen for me! His ways are best!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Why Aren't You Pregnant?

**I get this question alot and if only people knew the journey I am on, I think they would stop and think before they ask...I hope! Ha! But, sometimes I just have to laugh or I would cry, so I found this online...

Tired of people constantly asking you why you aren't pregnant? Don't knot your brows and pout! Instead, have some fun with these snappy comebacks:

"You haven't asked yet."

"Pregnant? What's that?"


"I was hoping to do something meaningful with my life."


"Because I just love hearing this question."


"It gives my mother something to live for."


"I'm waiting until I get to be your age."


"I already have enough laundry to do, thank you."


"I'd have to forfeit my billion dollar trust fund."


"I wouldn't want my parents to drop dead from sheer happiness."


"What? And lose all my money child safing my apartment?

"I don't want to have to support another person on my paycheck."


**Obviously, I would not say all of the above! However, you just might be surprised as to what people say to me when I tell them that I am not pregnant...for example:

"Well, don't you want kids?"

"Have you tried...."

"Do you know how?"

"Let me give you some tips..."

"Go on an all veggie diet for one month and you should be pregnant within the month"

**We are all guilty of probably prying in areas of peoples lives that we shouldn't. I just say this, once again, as a warning..."think before you speak and think before you ask!"

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

10 on Tuesday

1. Today, another day that none of us are deserving of. Today, a day that will be etched in the minds of many-lives will change, easy changes for some and difficult for others. Only God can give the strength and grace we need for each day.
2. I am a teacher once again! I am subbing for my Pastor's wife at our church school, she teaches kindergarten and 1st grade-the age I used to teach! I am having fun!
3. I get to do dinner with a friend at Olive Garden this evening!
4. Yesterday, I made early morning memories with friends over Starbucks at Mcdonalds! Aw, the things I do for my friends...like getting up stinking early in the morning!
5. Just 2 more weeks and it will be back on the road.
6. Scrapbooking, I have done alot of it-finished my cat scrapbook and scrapbooked Christmas!
7. Sometimes I wonder why I do 10 on Tuesday, because I tend to scramble for random thoughts that might be exciting to you. Yet, I also realize that even if I do think you might be interested, you really might not be interested.
8. Since the time I have stopped teaching and therefore stopped my morning cappuccino runs, the cost of cappuccino has went up ten cents! I was so disappointed that I didn't have enough change to get a 20 oz white chocolate carmel cappuccino and had to settle for a 12 oz. I don't even think the 12 oz can wake me up properly.
9. This week has already worn me out and has left me excited for bed time!
10. God is always good and God is always right!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Meat Loaf or Rather Turkey Loaf Recipe

So, I LOVE to cook and have been thinking about posting this recipe. Most people complain that meat loaf is so dry; but since making this recipe and serving it to a few different people, I always hear this meat loaf is so moist, what did you do? So, I thought I would share my recipe...

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 1 hr 10 minutes
Oven: 350
Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients: 2 beaten eggs
3/4 c milk
2/3 c fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 c finely chopped onion
2 tbs parsley
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sage, basil or oregano
1 lb ground turkey (or beef; but I prefer ground turkey)
1/4 c ketchup
2 tbs brown sugar
1 tsp mustard

1. In a bowl combine eggs and milk; stir in bread crumbs, onion, parsley, salt, sage and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Add meat; mix well. Lightly pat mixture into a 9x9 pan.
2. Bake at 350 for 1-1 1/4 hours. In a bowl combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard; spread over meat and bake for 10 more minutes.

10 on Wednesday!

1. Yes, I do realize that this post is supposed to be 10 on Tuesday; but since we don't have internet, it has to be 10 on Wednesday.
2. Blogs of note, jandlinds.blogspot.com, thrashernuggets.blogspot.com and kjbquiltedtreasures.blogspot.com!
3. Has recently fallen in love with Cherry Coke! It is just SO good lately! lol!
4. My time home is nearing an end, we leave in approximately two weeks; but will be back in March!
5. I can't believe it; but my baby brother is growing up, he's getting his 1st apartment next month.
6. A question, why is that you can buy water in bottles; but you can't buy water in a can to drink?
7. It is time to get back to Weight Watchers...really need people to pray that I can be strong and lose weight! I just love food and I hate forsaking it.
8. I am really thankful for friends, especially my friend Deanna-I have been able to spend alot of time with her lately and she has been such a blessing to me! She has let me use her washer and dryer, while we practice for our upcoming offertory on Sunday night. But, more than that I enjoy our chats and becoming closer friends.
9. Tomorrow night is visitation, Friday night were having friends over and I think Saturday calls for a lazy day.
10. Since Saturday calls for a lazy day, does anyone wanna come over and help me clean between now and then so it really can be a lazy day?!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Think Before You Speak

You say it best when you say nothing at all...I realize this is a phrase that is sung in a non-Christian song; but I can't help to think how true that phrase can be. As people, we think we have something to say-whether it be to prove a point, share how we are feeling or thinking, to fill an awkward silence...have words to comfort a friend or give advice when they are dealing with something hard or that was never planned. Maybe we do this because we don't know any other way? I must admit I have been this way myself; but now as the Lord has put me in the place I am in life now I am learning...I don't always have to speak, I don't always have to ask and I don't always have to have an answer. Sometimes, the only thing I need to do is listen....most of the time the person doing the talking already knows the answer/solution...they just need an ear that is willing to listen. The key is, discretion...thinking before we ask a question...reply to a question or simply open our mouth.

Things I Learned My Freshman Year in College, (By, Tisha Spencer, Lindsay Benson and Kendra Thrasher)

**I found this while going through school pics from the good old college days! I thought it would be fun to share this piece of 'memory lane' with you! This is from sometime 2000-2001!

1. You can fit 15 people on your bed when your heater is broken.
2. Your R.A's are human too-they break the rules.
3. Kleenex works just as good as toilet paper.
4. There's always just a LITTLE bit more toothpaste in the toothpaste tube-good to the last squeeze.
5. Windex and paper towel are a great substitute for mopping.
6. You can always fit one more article of clothing in the washer/dryer and still manage to shut the lid-even if you have to sit on it.
7. YOu can DEFINITELY recycle your clothes.
8. You don't HAVE to take a shower everyday.
9. What is mine is theirs.
10. Dorm day brings out the best in people.
11. I can sleep through a tornado.
12. Popcorn does burn.
13. The Christmas banquet is way over-rated.
14. Guys have no clue what 'just friends' means.
15. Who my TRUE friends are.
16. Another runner in the pantyhose, wear a longer skirt.
17. You are never lost, just disoriented.
18. What is mine, is really God's.
19. Your tastebuds will eventually adjust to the cafe food.
20. Christmas lights are great to read by after lights out.
21. There is no difference between a dorm room and a freezer.
22. How to clean my room in 10 minutes flat.
23. How to avoid head lice.
24. If theres a penny on the ground there is going to be a fight.
25. Girls CAN get ready in 30 minutes.
26. Reading lamps can cause fires.
27. Wal-mart is the place to be if you are a college student.
28. Sonic logo-Get rich quick with college students.
29. Walk the loop 3x's you are a couple, walk 5x's you are married.
30. Professors DO go on rabbit trails.
31. Privacy-whats that???
32. 8 hours sleep doesn't exist.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Christmas Memories

Well, I guess I can go ahead and fill you in on Christmas even though I can't upload Christmas photos, due to our computer being totally on the fritz. We have had so many computer issues and are in need of a new laptop, which we hope that need will be fulfilled in April. Joseph is hoping for an Apple!
Okay, back to Christmas! This Christmas did not go at all planned, as my family was supposed to come for Christmas day; but there was a blizzard, in which we received 18.5 inches of snow! Needless to say, they couldn't get here and we couldn't even get my sister for Christmas day because of the weather. So, Joseph and I spent Christmas alone. On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed homemade pizza and watched a movie together before opening our stockings! Joseph's stocking was full of Michigan Wolverine goodies and my stocking had a sweater and Wii Fit Plus...the newest upgrade to the Wii fit...so after opening stockings we spent the evening playing Wii Fit-trying to work off the pizza! And, even though I am 27 I still get excited about opening presents on Christmas morning...so, we woke up early and read the Christmas story before exchanging presents! Joseph and I enjoyed a day of playing in the snow, playing the wii, staying in our pajamas and Christmas dinner...which did not flop this year!
Last week, Joseph's parents came for New Years and to do Christmas with us. They brought Joseph's dog, Mavrick and after they left I vacuumed up two canisters of dog hair-I decided hardwood floors are a necessity when you have a dog! We had a great time with them! Since it has been so cold, we spent most of our time indoors playing Wii Resort, a game they brought along! We also exchanged Christmas presents with them and Joseph's mom and I realized that next year her and I need to confide in one another about what we get Joseph for Christmas as we both gave him the same gift, a pen from Things Remembered that has a map on it!
Okay, so I am getting finger tired from all this typing! So, hopefully I can post pics from Christmas soon and until then, stay happy!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

10 on Tuesday

1. Wow, I am seriously amazing myself right now...its Tuesday and I am actually posting 10 on Tuesday!
2. Yesterday Joseph and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary! Wow! It was a very low key day...we didn't do anything special or exchange gifts as we did last year. And, I am totally fine with that...need to save money and really its not about the gifts, its about celebrating what God has done for us! Only God could give us 2 years of marriage to celebrate!
3. My inlaws and Mavrick left this morning. In case you don't know, Mavrick is technically Joseph's dog! They came last Wednesday to celebrate a late Christmas and new years with us.
4. Guess what I got for Christmas?! A Cricut Expression! This has been the long awaited gift...I started saving money for one and now can use that money for cartidages and such.
5. This past weekend my family was also able to come for the weekend and help my sister celebrate her 26th birthday! We also did a late Christmas with my parents! It was a great time!
6. In just a month it will be my 28th birthday! Oh my...maybe I really am growing up or to say the least I am aging! I can't help but wonder what does God have in store for me in 2010 and in my 28th year of life?
7. It has been SO cold out...snow is still on the ground. At Christmas we had 18.5 inches of snow and ever since then it seems to be hardly ever above 0 temperatures. I am SO over winter.
8. Joseph and I will be getting back on the road at the end of this month sometime.
9. You know you are addicted to Panera Bread when the cashier knows what you are going to order before you even order it...yes, Joseph and I have a problem! lol!
10. Happy Tuesday and hope to see you on Thursday!