Bird Song

A few days ago, Paul had opened the kitchen windows and was allowing a gentle breeze to filter and float through the house. Springtime is always such a joyous time. New colors adorn the landscape. New leaves of shades of green, yellow appear on the bare trees. White and pink blossoms begin to fill the wooded areas that surround our house. The hue of the water in the pond even seems to be brighter and happier. It seems to welcome the ducks and geese. The turtles have been sunning on the rocks. Paul had counted twenty-one while fishing the other day. All of life seems to be revived and new. For some unknown reason, no one had turned the TV on in the kitchen that evening. And, as I was setting the table, I heard a faint chorus of song birds. Their song had started quietly until the other birds, not to be undone, began to sing along. Finally, it sounded like three or four different types of birds were chirping and singing brightly as the sun began its descent in the sky. These birds were singing to honor the glorious day where God's presence had filled a small piece of the earth. Their song caused me to pause and listen. Mark walked into the room and I looked up at him and started to say something about the music. He was listening too. After enjoying the song for a few minutes, he quietly said, "Isn't that beautiful?" Beautiful. It was beautiful. Amazing that these little creatures who have to brave the elements, dig and hunt for their food, stop and take the time to praise the Creator. There seemed to be urgency in their song. They needed to be heard. They knew they had to sing and use their gift of music to show admiration for God and to praise Him. They sing to the unseen God not even realizing the joy they give to those unseen people who simply pause and listen to their song. They were created to sing. It is their destiny and they follow it. Amazing and wondrous. I now feel compelled to stop and ponder my song. Do I sing my song of thanksgiving each evening to this wonderful God that created me? Do others get to stop in their hurried lives and join in with my rejoicing and then humbly say, “Beautiful?" God teaches and preaches to me gently. He leads me by the still waters and the marvelous song of the birds. He poses the question, “Debbie, are you living the destiny and purpose for which I created you?” He asks each of us. The birds’ song has begged me to search my own heart and life and seek out only God’s purpose and calling. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all Creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Blessings,Debbie

Some more diet news.....

This is our fourth day on the 90 Day Immune System Makeover and things are going good. One of the best things, for me, has been that I have NOT been awakened during the night at all with the severe leg cramps! This is amazing. I also purchased a 4 inch Serta memory foam topper for our bed which arrived on Friday, too. God seems to be working all this things together. Three wonderful nights of excellent sleep. This is making a huge difference in the way that I feel, too. Back to the effects of the makeover. I have lost about 7 pounds. I have successfully come off caffeine and already my head is clearer. We had a cold front come in and usually that causes me to have pain in my joints especially my hands and shoulders. However, since coming off the sugar, I have not had that experienced joint pain with this weather change. From what I am reading, refined sugar is very damaging to our bodies. I told Mark yesterday while driving to church, that if I need to totally stop eating the stuff in order to feel good, that I was willing. I have been feeling so very bad and that has an impact on all areas of your life. I plan on living at least another 40 years and I want the same health report on me that Moses had at 120 years old! I remember years ago that my doctor told me that I always needed to keep my weight below the chart level because of my bones. I am tall, a little over 5' 7" but I have narrow bones. He said that extra weight or even weighing the chart weights would be hard on my bones and that I would develop problems. He told me this when I was in my 20's. I was not overweight in my 20's. In fact, I weighed below 130 pounds. But, in your 20's, you think that you are going to live forever. You don't think that your body is going to fail you and you take your health for granted. So, that's where we are at on Day 4 of our journey to good health. Blessings, Debbie

Books that I am using to help us GET healthy!

I meant to include these titles in the blog below. I am reading three of Janet Maccaro books: 1. 90-Day Immune System Makeover - this one I highly recommend. I am trying to follow all of her suggestions. Her testimony is excellent and will motivate you to try and get your body back in balance as intended by God. 2. Midlife Meltdown - I started reading this book yesterday. This morning, I read Mark some things dealing with men's health issues. 3. Natural Health Remedies - I've just started looking at this one. It appears to have some good information. It takes health issues and discusses natural remedies. I am very interested in the section dealing with asthma. The other book that I orderd but I haven't started reading it yet is: SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life by StevenG. Pratt, M.D., and Kathy Matthews. The foods listed that are considered SuperFoods are: Beans, Blueberries, Broccoli, Oats, Oranges, Pumpkin, Wild Salmon, Soy, Spinach, Tea, Tomatoes, Turkey (Skinless Breast), Walnuts, and Yogurt. As I read more of all the books, I will try and remember to post about some of the most helpful or interesting findings. Good Health! Blessings, Debbie

Th

Day one is over!

Yesterday on the system clean-out both Mark and I developed killer headaches. No surprise since we are both lovers of coffee. I have bought to replace it Decaf Green tea, dandelion tea, and chamomile tea. All of these teas have some beneficial properties. 1. Green tea - antibacterial, protects against some forms of cancer, heart health protection, and aids in fat burning. 2. Dandelion tea (not my favorite taste) - Cleanses liver, aids in increased bile production, Cleanses blood of uric acid and toxins, thus preventing abscesses, boils, and rheumatism. 3. Chamomile tea - helps with stess, anxiety, and insomnia. Good for indigestion. (The above information taken from: Natural Health Remedies by Janet Maccaro.)

Mark and I are both taking 1 teaspoon of dark cherry juice concentrate three times daily. This helps with gout. Mark's toes are already feeling better. I am taking it to reduce swelling in my hands and fingers. To aid in cleaning us out, we are using Nature's Secret Ultimate Cleanse. I bought this from the health food store. The instructions are pretty easy. The other part of this cleansing is drinking a green drink. Now, when Mark smelled our green drink (the powder mix) his comment was, "Debbie, this smells like cow manure." In its defense, I don't think it smells like that. He did drink it mixed with 8 oz. of orange juice. I did too. The green drink gives you an energy boost. Well, so far - we have complete 1 day! We are 1 day closer to feeling better. Oh, we are supposed to do thirty minutes of walking or some form of exercise three days a week while cleansing. We plan on walking today. Blessings, Debbie

Today is the first day of my immune system make-over!

I am finally biting the bullet and going to try and start feeling better. I had ordered the book 90-Day Immune System MakeOver by Janet Macccaro. It came in the mail on Wednesday. I started reading it after church and yesterday I spent a small fortune at the health food store. This book directs you in how to clean out your system of toxins. It is also a wheat, dairy, red meat, refined sugar and caffeine free program. I read in the book, that we will feel worse before we feel better. When I was purchasing the stuff at the heath food store, the lady selling me the stuff, told me the same thing. Fun. You will basically get flu-like symptoms. So, I imagine this is going to be a joy-ride. NOT! I told Mark last night that we HAD to come off the coffee. So, he make a half pot this morning and I can smell it sitting in the kitchen - calling my name. I reminded him that we are NOT supposed to be drinking caffeine. He's not a happy camper and actually sounded angry with me and asked, "How am I supposed to get through the day." He then processed NOT to have any coffee. Here's the deal. I want Mark to do this with me but I am not going to be his personal diet police. I also asked him the read two books (I also bought Mid-life Meltdown by the same author.) and his EYES glazed over and he told me that he didn't need too and he would just do as I instructed him to do. grrrrrrrrrrr. I want him to understand the process. Michael told me that he wanted to do it, too. But, he needed to wait past today so he could have the fried fish at college. Yes, they are both committed to this program. (insert eyeroll) Paul has a bass guitar lesson today. So, I guess I need to shower and get him up to get ready. Blessings, Debbie

In an attempt to lighten my mood.....

I thought that I would share a few funnies from the past few days. Lauri's 18 year old son found out that I will be getting braces. His comment was, "Why? At your age? Why do you care what you look like?" Sigh. I told him that my teeth were shifting and moving forward and the dentist had said that I could end up losing my teeth. Aaron says, "How? Are they just going to pop out?" LOL Later that day, his MOTHER gave me the meanest birthday card about getting age spots. I said, "I need to go have laser done and get rid of them!" Aaron heard me say that and told he that he didn't understand why I cared and that it was a waste of money. And, when he gets old...... he will do it gracefully. I hope I can remind him of ALL of this in 30 years. hehehe Yesterday while teaching piano one of my little 1st grade boys pooted really loud and then started laughing. I asked him if he had brought a trumpet to his piano lesson. To which he told me that his older sister poots at their dinner table everyday. I told him to STOP telling on his sister because she will not be happy with him. He told me it was only the truth. hehehe

March 28

It’s amazing that even when our heart is breaking, when the pain seems to overtake our lives, that God shows Himself to us in unexpected ways. He gives us assurance that He is with us. He is with us through the heartache. He is with us through the years of sorrow. He gently reminds us that He will never left nor forsake us. He shows Himself to be worthy.

My grandma died on Monday. She had thrown me away. She walked away from our relationship but I never stopped loving her. I sent her Christmas cards every year up until two years ago. I kept hoping that God would reveal to her the truth about my parents but she decided that I wasn’t worthy of her love and put me out as trash.

Yet, I loved her. Wouldn’t life be easier if we could just stop loving? I have never understood how marriages fall apart because I have never known how to stop loving.

Last night, Tuesday, March 27 after revival service, Mark’s mom called to tell us that my grandma had died. Of course, no one in my family had contacted me. They have all walked away from me and never looked back.

I have cried until my eyes hurt. Why do I miss someone that has not acknowledged that I am even alive for the last 18 years? I would think that this wouldn’t have affected me. When Mark was getting off the phone with his mom, I heard him say, “Mom, I need to go. I need to tell her now.” We were driving in the car. We were coming home from revival services.

Mark hung up his phone and I said, “Tell me. Who died?”

His words were quiet almost a whisper, “Your grandma.”

I sat in silence. I willed my emotions and heart not to feel anything. I finally asked, “When?”

“Yesterday, honey. My mom read it in the paper today. The funeral is tomorrow morning at 10.”

This dark weight of feeling was beginning to come upon me. I thought that I could keep it in check. Surely, God was not going to allow me this pain.

And, then Mark spoke again, “I can’t believe that no one in your family contacted you. They couldn’t even tell you this.”

With that statement all of the air felt sucked out of my body. This was about so much more than my grandma’s death. This was my family. These were people that abandoned me, that threw me away. These were people that hurt me in a way that I had never dreamed possible. And, these people, my family, had not contacted me.

Not a surprise.
I went to my grandparents after my parents kidnapped Christi and Bobby begged for their help. I remember saying that they knew us and they knew that we had never hurt our children. And my grandmother said, “Well, at least Christi and Bobby won’t go to hell. They will not be raised by a Baptist.”

That was the card my parents used with them. I fully understand losing everything for your faith. Mark stood in that driveway, his arms hitting his hips. I wrapped my arms around him because I thought that he was going to beat himself to death. He looked like a man coming out of his skin.

“Baptist? Baptist? You will not help your granddaughter because she is a Baptist?”

My grandparents stood in the doorway and said nothing but closed the door. They closed the door and when they closed that door, I knew. I knew they had closed their hearts.

Mark lifted and carried me to the car. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t speak.

What words? How do you combat such hatred?

My husband backed the car out of the driveway. He was hitting the steering wheel. He was crying. He was angry.

Suddenly, it hit me. The sickness. I was throwing up. Mark pulled over and I stood on the side of the road and vomited. It was like poison coming out of my soul from the evilness of their words.

My faith was sending my children to hell. That’s what they believed. That’s what they said. To this day, I still cannot understand why they believed that.
And, last night I heard those words, “Your grandma is dead.”

I assumed that there would be no pain. She died to me so many years ago. But, somewhere I had held on to the belief that she would seek me. That she would tell me that she was sorry and that she loved me.

Last night, I prayed for God to assure me that my grandma was in heaven. I begged him to assure me that I would see her again and that I would wrap my arms around her and hold her.

Why do we love those we love? Why do their arrows pierce our hearts so deeply?

I couldn’t sleep and went to the living room and sat in semi-darkness. I had pulled out one of my Bibles hoping for God to speak to me. But, I couldn’t read the word. My eyes were unable to focus.

My beloved Paul, walked into the room and jumped. He wasn’t expecting to see anyone because it was midnight.

“Mom, why are you up?”

“I can’t sleep, Paul. I just found out, my grandma is dead. You never met her. But, I loved her. I always thought that someday I would take you to meet her and that she would love you.”

This fourteen year old boy sat down on the sofa. This overstuffed sofa seemed to swallow him up for a minute. The he adjusted the quilt he had wrapped around his body. I asked him to sit by me.

“Mom, I need a shower. I can hardly stand myself.”

I told him that I had cried so much that my nose was full and I couldn’t smell a thing. So, the child sat by me. I put my hand on his black shiny hair. I touch his smooth young check.

“Paul, I am hurting. See, I loved my grandma. I kept thinking one day that she would call me and tell me that she was sorry and that she loved me.”

“Well, she knows the truth now wherever she is.”

Shocked, “Paul, wherever she is? I am praying that she is in heaven. I want to see her again. I will never see her in this lifetime again – but Paul, I want to see her again.”

My son seemed to grow. “Mom, I don’t KNOW where she is but I can tell you this – SHE knows the truth. She knows what she did to you and she is sorry. Whether she is in heaven or hell – she knows the truth and believe me, she is sorry.”

He was missing my point of my desiring to see her, to love her, to hold her.

I went on, “Paul, I have been remembering when I was little and playing with her jewelry and sleeping in her bed. She taught me how to make that apple pie that you love. She taught me how to sew. She loved bright colors. I get my love of colors from her. And, I look like her. And, my mother looks like her. Every time I look in a mirror, I see two of the people that hurt me most in the world. I can’t get away from the pain. When Christi and Bobby were stolen, I thought about killing myself. But, then I thought of Michael. And, I knew that I somehow needed to be his mother. Michael sustained me. His presence kept me alive. But, you were my gift.”

My son shifted his position. “Man, mom. Just think what she almost caused you to do. You thought about killing yourself because of what your family did to you. Do you know what would have happened? Daddy would have gone nuts. Michael would have been raised by someone else. And, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be your son. Someone else would have adopted me. Mom, I am your son. This is exactly where I am supposed to be. Just think, even though I never met this woman, she is my grandmother, too.”

I interrupted, “Great-grandmother.”

“I know. I know. Let me finish. She is my grandmother, too. I can see her in you. If you see her when you look at yourself, then I have met a part of her. She is a part of you. It’s in the genes but she raised you, too.”

“Paul, I need to know that she’s in heaven. I need to know I will see her again and there will be no more tears. I need to know that I’ll see her at the Crystal Sea. And, that I’ll not remember the pain she caused me.”

He again said, “Mom, I don’t know where she is. But part of her is in you.”

Why can a child see evil so much clearer than an adult filled with sorrow, memories and pain?

Paul is correct. I have no assurance that my grandmother is in heaven. She could be in hell. The only way I can honor her memory to by trying to take the best things she taught me and live them in my life.

Last night, I wanted to hear from God. I wanted assurance. Yet, my eyes could not see the words through the tears. So, God sent my son, born out of due season, to speak to me. And this boy was able to present the truth that I needed to hear.

The fact is, I have no assurance where my grandma is. I can hope and I can pray but she made choices. Last night, as I was crying I told Mark that I needed to know that grandma was in heaven. He told me that she was. I reminded him that he had said, on many occasions, that my grandparents could not be Christians and do what they did to me.

He was, “Well, honey maybe I was mistaken. Christians can be wrong. Your grandma was just wrong.”

But I knew that Mark didn’t believe his words. He was trying to comfort me. If Mark had it in his power, he would place my grandmother in heaven for me. It took a little boy to try and tell me that it was pointless now to pray that she was in heaven. My grandma had made her choices many years ago.

His words have remained with me this morning. King David cried and prayed and fasted begging for his son’s life. And, the baby died. The servants were afraid to tell David but they did. And, David’s actions surprised the servants. He got up, washed his face, and ate. He said God had spoken.

God gave my grandma 90 years. He gave her 18 years to come to me. I kept every door open. Sometimes, people make bad choices. But, Paul is right. God has spoken.

This child stayed up with me until 3 AM. He talked and told me about his friends. He told me about all of the scientific theories he’s interested in. He told me that he was meant for our family and that God had arranged for him to be my son.

Past Morning Thoughts.....

I found this old post on my ChristianMoms board that I had posted several months ago. I decided to share it over on this board. I needed the reminder.

Blessings,
Debbie

Morning Thoughts….

I noticed this morning when I looked out the kitchen window that a fog or mist was thick over our pond. Dreamlike in quality, the mist looked soft and inviting. It lingered there for a couple of hours and that fog got me to thinking. I am sure that most of you remember in this quote from Silas Marner describing what happened to Dunstan after he stole Marner’s money.

“The rain and darkness had got thicker, and he was glad of it; though it was awkward walking with both hands filled, so that it was as much as he could do to grasp his whip along with one of the bags. But when he had gone a yard or two he might take his time. So he stepped forward into the darkness.”

That quote came to me as I was looking out toward the pond. Unable to see the water, I wondered is this is how Christians get lost in their walk with God? Do we, at times, walk around in a fog, darkness, or mist? My thoughts were beginning to spin inside my brain. If I didn’t know there was a pond at the edge of my yard, I could easily step into the water. However, this pond doesn’t have an immediate drop off, so most likely I could quickly back up and get out of the water. I would be muddy, wet and messy but not lost. However, if the pond was deep, I could suffer a different fate entirely.

These reflections have remained with me this morning as I began to think on my walk with Christ. Often, I have prayed for God to show or light my next step. However, I wonder, have I taken the light with me or have my hands, mind and heart been too full of the vanishing possessions and imaginings of this world to carry the light. If Dunstan’s hands had not been occupied with those precious leather bags, he might have carried a light along with him and prevented his step into darkness. But, Dunstan was after worldly wealth that did not belong to him and his actions proved fatal.

Do we get so involved with going after the things of this world, that we are too occupied to take the light of Christ with us? While, we may not step forward into a perceived darkness, we do walk into a spiritual darkness and sadly do not recognize that we have left our first love because of the leather bags we are carrying. Satan loves to distract God’s children from the calling of God. He wants to get us so enamored by the world that we step into darkness. Dunstan, in his rush to get out of Silas’ home, closed the door which cut off the only light that could have guided his steps.

How often when facing a busy, hectic day, do we decide to cut our prayer time in half or not read the scripture that morning? Surely, God will understand that we are just too busy to seek His face and counsel? He loves us and will forgive us neglecting Him. And, it’s true that God loves us. We know this by his sacrifice. But, we seem to miss that God saved us for Himself. He wants our fellowship but we need His fellowship. Martin Luther once commented that when he had a busy day, his prayer time with God increased by an hour each morning. He was wise enough to know that when we are busy that our time with the Father needs to increase not decrease.


Practically, how do we keep our time with God a priority in our lives? The objective is to make our time with God a desire and not an obligation. If we will continue in prayer and study, even when our eyes do not see the results for which we are hoping, there will come a time when our solitude with the Father becomes a longing in our lives. We will begin to crave His fellowship and not just need His provision and direction.

I adore my children. They will come to me asking permission, asking advice, or asking for something they need or desire. Being a good mother, I try to respond to them. However, I love it when my children come and sit with me, just to visit and to talk about their day, their friends, or something they have newly discovered. Those times with my children bless me immensely.

The Father wants us to spend time with Him just like we want our children to spend time with us. And, when we fellowship with the Father, the resulting outcome is miraculous. We no longer have to stumble around in a mist of doubt and confusion. He will light each step that we take and order our days to His fulfill His perfect design.

Our tasks as women, mothers, and wives are too immense and important to go it alone or to stumble through it. The people that God has placed in our lives deserve to be guided and loved by women whose hearts and minds are fully fixed upon God. Dreams are fun. But, dreams without vision and purpose to accomplish the calling of God in ours lives and families are fruitless and vain. In order for us to direct our families through the fog and darkness that fills this earth, we must carry the Light that is daily charged and shining bright. We must seek first the kingdom of God.

Saturday morning ramblings....

Wow! I have one last large test to take this coming Tuesday morning and then, finally, I will be done with all of the basic requirements to this degree. I will be fully in the school of education. Sometimes, dreams and goals take decades. I must be slow! LOL

The house is quiet this morning -well, nearly this afternoon. I am going to be cutting Mark and Michael's hair today. Mark is preaching in the morning for Dr. Perry and he doesn't want to look like an old hippy. I wonder if he has prepared a children's sermon.

He will be a jack-in-the-box tomorrow morning since he will be leading the music and preaching. However, he loves preaching. Mark is a gentle shepherd type pastor. I have never heard him beat a congregation. He reminds me of the Shepherd in Psalm 23.

Dr. Perry is leading a revival in Calhoun, GA at First Baptist Church. I know that he will influence many people for the Lord this coming week. He, too, is a shepherd in the way he leads a church. Dr. Perry is always, gentle and loving; yet, convicting in his messages.

BTW, there is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. A Shepherd Looks at PSALM 23, by Phillip Keller, is a wonderful read for those needing to see this aspect of our wonderful Lord's nature.

Yesterday, after supper, Mark and I went down by the pond and sat at the picnic table. Paul and his friends had dragged this heavy table down by the pond last week-end while they were fishing. The movement of the water always mesmerizes me. Even on this rather small body of water, we see the force of the moon's pull working. It reminded me that God works and pulls in each of our lives. We may think that we are small but God's care and power is still evident.

As we were sitting in silence, watching the water and the ducks, Mark spoke. "Debbie, look up."

Flying overhead was a hawk. What another amazing creation of God's to watch. The hawk just kept allowing the winds and air currents to carry him along. When he would begin to descend, he would turn his wings and body in such a way as to allow the wind to pick him up and send him on. He wasn't wildly flipping his wings. He kept them spread and trusted the wind to carry him where he needed to go.

Isn't that a poignant picture of how God works in the lives of His children?

We are called to trust him.

Again, Mark spoke, "That hawk appeared for a minute to be falling and without any work on his part, but by simply angling his wings in a different way, he was lifted higher in the sky. Look how he glides."

This made me think about my life. I have had to get new perspectives at times when I was falling. Yet, without any work on my part, just faith, God has lifted me. Now, granted, sometimes that has meant a totally new direction. Sometimes, it has felt like God didn't understand and know my desires.

I wonder, did the wind carry that hawk in a new direction? Possibly.

As children of God, we are sometimes carried in places that we didn't choose. I understand that scripture where Jesus tells Peter that in his youth he went where he wanted to go but a time would come when God would take him to places that Peter didn't choose.

I imagine that Peter didn't like being bound and he probably wondered how this could possibly further the Kingdom's work. But, he went forward, while knowing that his life would be radically altered by serving a risen Savior. I think that Peter was like that hawk. He had to allow the winds of God to carry him along and not struggle against it.

The verse is John 21: 18

“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."

The picture I see is one of Peter stretching out his hands not to allow man to gird him but to allow God to carry him along during these times in his life

An interesting conversation about "Facing the Giants."

One of Paul's friends heard me commenting on the message that I received from the movie. He told me that I missed the message and went on to tell me the message. He said, "The point of the movie was if your life is falling apart and you give it over to God, that everything will work out."

Yes, that's what this 15 year old got out of the movie. I told him that everything in our lifes doesn't always work out and that sometimes God's answer to us is no.

So, he went on to explain, "The coach wasn't praying that the team would win. He was just giving his life over to God. And, his wife still loved God even when the pregnancy test came back negative. Her faith was tested."

I reminded him that he said the message was, "If you turn your life over to God, everything will work out." The implied meaning was the team WON (life worked out) because this coach turned his life over to God. So, the EXPECTATION is that all my desires, wants, needs will be met if I give God my life. I also told him that the wife was pregnant, so she only had to say she loved God for a few minutes without knowing that her desire was being given to her. There might be times in his life when his faith is tested and he might never get the results that he wanted. Yet, we are still called to have faith.

A life of real faith is living for God, loving God, serving Him, when our hopes, dreams and desires NEVER materialize.

We can be totally dedicated to God in our lives - faithful to Him - and our lives can still fall apart. The movie was suggesting that the only reason a Christian has problems is because they are LACKING in faith and in not surrending their lives to God. But, the truth is this - bad things happen to people WHO love God, who have given him ALL of their lives and they NEVER see the outcome of their faith in this life.

Why isn't Hebrews 11 preached? I challenged this young man to read "The Hiding Place." He needs to understand that the TEST of our faith and surrending to God isn't in everything working out. Sometimes, we are called to live a life of faith regardless of the outcome.

He told me that I was confused.

I told him that, sometimes, things do work out for the good. But, usually there are things in our lives that do not get answered the way we want them too and it's NOT because of a lack of faith or turning one's life over to God.

I guess I am confused.

My review of "Facing the Giants."

I finally watched this movie last night. I had high expectations for a great movie about faith. Facing the Giants is a feel good movie. It presents a one sided picture of a god who is more like Santa Claus than the God that I worship. I am disturbed that churches are using this movie as an evangelical tool.

As I was watching this movie, I thought of so many people that I know or have known of in my life where tragedy and sorrow hit them like a boxer in a ring with an opponent that was intent upon drawing blood. I knew that they had stood strong in their faith. I knew that they prayed without ceasing. I knew that they never turned from God and yet, their desires or wants were not answered or seemingly met.

We live in a world where people do not understand the Spirit and they are constantly looking for a sign. If God loves me, then He should do the following. I should have a car given to me. I should suddenly become very successful in my job. I should find the dead mouse in my house. I should get a several thousand dollar raise. I should get pregnant. And, everyone that I have any contact with should change because of my influence toward God in their life. All these things should happen if I stay up all night and read my Bible and pray and share my faith.

What happens when we do stay up all night to communicate with God and nothing happens? What is the message for those of us who daily live with disappointments and challenges? Is the message that our faith is weak? Is the message is that God doesn’t love us?

Sometimes, the only things that we see God do in some situations is hold us and give us strength to continue. The ability to continue on when life hasn’t allowed us to win the big game is an amazing gift. Everything in this movie was a sign – it was a physical thing. Wow! The movie shouted. Look how blessed that I am. I now have all these blessings in my life simply because I have rededicated my life to God, pray, and read my Bible.

Where was the message of Christ? This movie reminded me of that popular name and claim it doctrine. No, it wasn’t as obvious because the coach did say, "We will praise you no matter what." Honestly, losing a football game isn’t like losing a child, a spouse, or one’s health. I would hope that most people could still praise God if they lost a game! But, the message of this movie was only good things will happen to you once you make God first in your life.

I need to say, to those struggling in their faith, or those new to the faith, or to those who are thinking about coming to God, this movie was a farce and not reality. God will change you and hold you and love you but you probably won’t get pregnant or a raise or an expensive truck given to you. God does bless His people; however, sometimes that blessings are being able to experience a true and real joy in life regardless of your life’s circumstances, sorrows, and disappointments.

This movie did not make me feel joyful and happy. This movie made me think about my life’s biggest sorrows and losses and then wonder why God hasn’t stepped in with my miracle. This movie saddened me because many people may decide to come to God because of the things that they are expecting to receive from Him and not because they are sinners in need of a Savior. Will these people then question their faith when sorrow overwhelms me? Will they judge others faith by worldly success and possessions?

The story was sweet and fun but I didn’t receive a blessing from this movie. The message that I got was that my faith must not measure up. It told me that all of the days and nights that I have spent in prayer were not useful. And, that I am not one of God’s beloved.

Okay, church. Let’s present a lie to the lost. Let’s tell them that if you do a, b, and c that God will give you a bunch of news toys, more money and career success. Then when these same people experience sorrow, tragedy, or disappointments in life, we can quietly whisper, “Oh, by the way, God will give you strength to endure.” However, we have already set the precedent that the way God answers prayers is by giving you everything that you want.

I am afraid that these people will then walk away from the church and never look back. To them, the church and God will be just one more thing that disappointed them. Maybe, the church’s message needs to center more on Hebrews 11. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen….” Maybe, the message needs to center on the best gift in the world, the work of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection.

The truth of life is that we will experience happiness and sorrow. God makes the rain to fall on all. We are called to live in faith. Faith that Jesus Christ is doing exactly what he said He would do. He is preparing for us a place in heaven where sorrow and tears will no longer exist. Maybe, the message should be Christ and his sufferings and his triumph.

The sad fact is this movie will do great because Americans want new cars and worldly success more than they want a Savior and His Spirit to equip them live a life of joy regardless of what their eyes see. They are not interested in real faith. They are interested in things.

Shopping for a washing machine....

Okay, I needed it since mine broke this week and it was time to bury the horrible thing. I have been telling Mark for the last two years the washer was going to die. I knew it. I know I will like having a nice new one, too. However, there are so many other things that I would have rather spent the money on - like Disney World.

As we were writing the check today for our washing machine, I said to Mark, I guess I won't be getting a laptop anytime soon. :(

Someone explain this to me. WHY is a new washing machine mine? I know that I am the one to USE the thing since I appear to be the laundry maid. But, honestly..... this isn't JUST for me. Yes, I picked it OUT because I am the one who does the laundry but the last time I looked less than 1/4 of the laundry was actually my clothing.

Oh, well. That's life. All of my piano teaching money is going towards this machine this month. Easy come - easy go. You know, there is a real blessing, or rather the realization of a blessing, in the breaking of this thing. Years ago, when my washing machine broke and Mark was in seminary, I got to wash CLOTHES in the bathtub for 3 months until we could get enough money together to buy a very used and old machine. That wasn't fun! So, this time I had to cancel a trip to Disney World but WE had the money to get a new machine.

Maybe, God wanted to get my attention and get me to realize that I am blessed. Blessed because I was able to purchase a new machine. Blessed because I have running water. Blessed because I have all of these appliances that act as my maids!

It was fun looking at all these new fancy machines; although, I couldn't in anyway justify spending nearly $2,000 on a set! I am amazed that people do! I will love my machine which was under $500.00 including delivery and shipping and we get the delivery refunded! wowhooo! I am also planning in about six weeks to buy the dryer that matches this washer and I will sell my dryer at that time.

Blessings,
Debbie

March Comes In Like a Lion!!!

Yep!!! It sure does. We lost our power last night at 2 am. Storms are all over the place. It was restored 7 hours later. Mark and Michael both had to go to into friends to shower this morning. I was THRILLED when the power came back on because it meant I had running water. For some reason, the electric pump on our well doesn't work without power. hehehe

Paul has decided to fish the past few day out back in our small, tiny lake or big pond. We call it a pond. He has been catching these pretty good size fish and then he throws them back into the water. I looked out the window - and the child left two coolers and a big plastic tub that he was putting the fish in yesterday. I am surprised that those thing aren't floating on top of the pond this morning with all the nasty weather. lol

I was desperate this morning for coffee. So, I dragged the grill out of the garage and lite the burner and put my tea kettle on to boil some water. I TRIED to drink instant coffee. Man, oh Man!!! Can we say "evil form of torture???" LOL It was about the grossest stuff that I have ever put into my mouth. Just plain old nasty.

Fortunately, during my coffee experience - that POWER was restored and I made myself a cup of coffee. I had called Mark at school, and he was drinking FRESH coffee and I was so jealous. Amazing how addicted I am to caffeine.

I have really been enjoying Paul this week. He has been doing this new math curriculum WITH understanding! He has been sweet and helpful this week. Washing my van, helping with laundry and he's cooked some entire meals. And, the best part was, he is turning into a good cook.

Michael has decided to run for Senate at his college. This is what his school calls the class representatives for his college government. He is turning in his petition today where he had to gather signatures. He also has an interview scheduled to be an Orientation leader when new students arrive in the fall. And, he's putting in an application to be an RA. I pray some, if not all, of these opportunities work out for him. He loves his college and that thrills me.

My new semester has started. I am going to TRY and fly with these next classes. I ended up with 31 credit hours completed last semester. I have to write two papers for my Ethics class and then take my Literature and Ethics protored exams. And... then I am in the School of Education. I am thrilled. Y'all will hear me shout when these three classes are completed. :)

Mark told me yesterday, that he has been feeling very blessed lately. He started naming his blessings and once again, I was humbled that this godly man asked me to marry him over 27 years ago. He sees in me things that I do not see. God is so good to me.

He told me that he thought about me and his life with me all of the time. I asked him, if when he thought of me, did he see that young woman he married, who was thin, had a perfect complexion and believed in people and had such an innocent faith?

He said that had saw me as I am today. A woman who has grown more beautiful, loving and who has filled his home with a faith in God and Christ. (I have GROWN... but not more beautiful.) He told me that when he thinks of me, he sees that he is fortunate and blessed. He said that he loves my intellect, wit, and kindness and then he went on the say, that I am so much more than that girl he married and that I thrill him.

Yes, God has blessed me by this man. I adore him. I am not worthy of him.

Blessings,
Debbie

February is a really short month!

Man, time flies as we get older and it flies ever faster when the month is only 28 days long. I can't believe that it is already 2 months since Christmas. We are already making summertime plans.

Sometimes, I think that we plan our lives away instead of enjoying and truly living each minute. We are always talking about the next event instead of stopping and being part of today. I wonder if we are living each day and week with great expectation and joy? Are we pleasing God? Are we seeking Him? Are we being loving to our family and not wasting our time? What will my children remember about me when they are older? Mom drove us crazy when getting ready for a trip or company? Or will they remember that Mom made our house a home and that she loved being with us?

I love the verse that tells us not to worry and I wish that I could truly incorporate that ability into my life and NEVER worry but always and only TRUST God.

Also, do we really wait to hear from God before we act? Do we weep over the lost or are we too busy being busy to really think about the lost?

What should be our passion?

Blessings,
Debbie

I may get to come up for air a little....

in regard to all of these papers for college that I have been writing. I have one good sized paper to write this week and then I will spend the next two weeks studying for a major exam.

I have been enjoying my experience at Western Governors University. I highly recommend it to those wanting to attend college online. They have excellent accreditation. Also, they are very tuition doable!! The classes require tons of research and writing but most of the communities are really helpful.

Paul still has a fever and now Michael is home sick from college today. He never misses classes. So, this is odd to have him home ill.

Two sickies don't make for a fun Valentine!

Well, I need to get to writing this paper.

Blessings to all,
Debbie

Sick one...

Man, this flu that Paul has really likes to keep a temperature high. He is so sick of being sick. I have noticed that lots of his friends from his youth group keeping calling his cell phone to check up on him. When I see the care that these young people have for each other, I know that Mark and I made the correct decision in allowing Paul to attend this church.

This morning I finished writing a 10 page paper for my Literature class. It was a long process. I usually do not spend this much time in writing a paper. I have also been making phones calls. I had to cancel Paul and my hair appointments for tomorrow because I cannot take Paul to the salon and risk getting our stylist sick. He might shave our heads that next time we go in! hehehe

I also had to call the music store to order more books for my piano students. The store owner ordered the wrong sets last week for three of my younger students. I also wanted to arrange bass guitar lessons for Paul. I think that I managed to set up lessons on Wednesday mornings at 9 am. I told the guy that this week was out due to Paul having the flu. He is supposed to call me back and confirm the lessons.

I have had a headache most of the day so far. I am going to check on Paul and try to soak in the tub for a bit and unwind.

I know that this blog is totally boring. I should change its name to: Debbie's Boring Blog.

Oh, here is a bit of information that some of you might could use. Mark and I decided to order food from Angel Food Ministries this month. Mark picked it up Saturday and we were really pleased. So, here's a link to their site in case anyone wants to check it out!

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Blessings,
Debbie

Today is Thursday...

Wednesdays are always long days with having to drive so far to church. It usually takes us 45 minutes on Sunday mornings but it takes an hour Wednesday night due to traffic. I sat in the back choir room during children's choir and prayer meeting (it didn't have any heat on) and read more of My Name is Asher Lev. That book is depressing me. I did attend choir rehearsal, though.

I also got that first paper started for my Literature class yesterday, too. I am having a difficult time getting everything in my thesis statement that I want to say.

Last night, at 10 PM, Lost returned with a new show!! It was good. I am not understanding why that blonde lady is so mean, though. And, what happened to her sister?

Splenda is acting all clingy. She has been following me around like a puppy dog. She is the strangest cat. I have been trying to brush her in the hopes of eliminating or at least reducing hair balls. Yuck. That is the grossest things about cats.

Paul told his friends that I used to be a baker. That child has a strange memory! LOL I did work in a bakery for a season when Mark was in seminary but Paul was only 4 years old. He told me that he wanted me to teach him how to be a really good cook. You know, it did make pastries, doughnuts, decorated cakes, pies, breads and all but I have never considered myself a baker. I didn't wear one of those hats!! LOL I hated getting up and being at work at 4 AM!!

Paul wants to cook hearty tasty real food. At least, that's what he's telling me. He wants to make a gumbo. I told him that I can't eat okra because I am so allergic to it. He told me that we would leave out the okra. I don't know if it's possible to make gumbo without okra? I mean, is that allowed????? I am going to have him cook dinner tonight. I am thinking a roast with the trimmings. I will try to come up with a fake gumbo recipe for the child. He wants to learn how to make several soups.

Back to tonight's menu. I am thinking a pot roast with cooked cabbage, potatoes, and carrots and something green. I wonder how serious the boy is about cooking. He loves to read recipes. Is that normal for a 14 year old? And, the likes watching the food network. lol

Michael has a major exam in his history class tomorrow. I am praying that he does pretty good. He needs to keep a B average in college to get the Hope next year. After he takes a course this summer, he'll have enough hours in Georgia schools to qualify for it.

Mark has a winter break coming up this month. He's off February 19 through the 23. I wanted to go to Florida to Disney World but that's not happening with all of the dental and medical expenses we are having right now. So, I guess this break will be boring.

Paul is upset with me because I am not letting him go to New Orleans to help with clean-up. I am worried that he would have a huge asthma attack down there because of the mold. His youth group is going down over spring break.

I need to get to reading this depressing book and work more on this paper.

Blessings,
Debbie

Another thought on Homeschooling....

I used to freak out if I realized that what I was trying to do with the kids in the way of certain curriculum or subjects wasn't working. It does kind of make me sick at the thought of spending more money to buy another curriculum. However, sometimes, we just have to bite the bullet. I need to try this and it's still cheaper than a tutor for this child.

I told my husband several weeks ago (when it was still January) that Paul was really having difficulty in math and that I needed to hire a tutor. Mark's comment was that he would try to teach Paul his math. Well, he hasn't spent one moment trying. I knew that he wouldn't. I told Mark that WE had to do something to help Paul with his math and that he hadn't tried teaching him at all over the past few weeks.

Honestly, I think that he meant too but for some reason he just doesn't help me school the boys. I have also put him in charge of setting up private bass lessons for Paul. I have reminded him for three weeks. I am going to call him - again, this morning - and see if he's done it. It made sense to me to ask him to set these lessons up since Mark is over at Brewton Parker every Monday and is surrounded by musicians. Again, he just doesn't think about it.

Well, now I am really off of here.

Blessings,
Debbie

February is here!!

I can't believe that we are already into the second month of 2007! This is going to be a busy month for me completing a few college classes. My new semester starts March 1.

I have decided to order Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra for Paul. I found a gal on VegSource that had the CD's for sale and I am managing to save a little money on them. But, it looks like that I will have to order the textbook new. This set is going to cost me $150.00! ugh. It had better be magical and get through to this child. He took that pre-assessment and is ready for Pre-Algebra.

We have church this evening and choir rehearsals (children and adult). Sunday evening the Brotherhood is doing a Valentine's Banquet. I hope that fun.

I have been reading the book My Name is Asher Lev. It's different. I need to finish it up today and start this paper that I am writing. I have already read Emma and parts of Huck Finn.

I am waiting on my literature textbook to arrive. I managed to find it used and only paid $40.00 for it as opposed to $80.00 plus shipping. I am selling these Critical Thinking textbooks to a friend who needs them for a class.

I have been trying to lose weight and really fell off the wagon the past two weeks. I am not pigging out but I have to cut WAY back to lose weight. My metabolism is so messed up.

I went to the eye doctor's last Friday and he has scared me a bit. He suspects that I could have angle glaucoma. The office made me an appointment with specialist before I left his office. I am praying that he is wrong. Lauri had a group of ladies from her church call me and they all prayed for healing and good sight. Such a precious group of gals.

Well, I need to get busy. It's a tad after 7:30 AM. I need to straighten up the house a bit and shower and then get Paul going on school. I also didn't get all of the laundry done on Monday so I need to work on that today, too. And, of course, I need to finish reading this book and try to get this paper started.

Oh, I had called the eye doctor's yesterday and he just called me back. Man, he called me back early. He said that right now, I do not have glaucoma. The pressure behind my eye isn't elevated. However, the space between my lense and eyeball is slightly narrow and that's why he is wanting a specialist to look at it. He told me NOT to worry at this point but that we have to keep a check on it because it could develop into glaucoma.

Now, I am really getting off of here, unless the phone rings again with some nice information.

Blessings to all,
Debbie

I have tried two other times to post recently....

And my post keep getting eaten! LOL

It's the last day of January. I can't believe how fast the month has flown by. Our family has been busy this month. Michael is back at Brewton Parker and has a very full load right now. Mark has stayed busy with his jobs - both at the schools and at the church. He is now playing with two groups associated with Brewton Parker. So, Mondays are really long for him. Paul is having difficulty in math right now. I am considering buying new materials for him and see if they help. I am looking at Teaching Textbooks Pre-algebra. I am staying busy teaching piano, teaching Paul and with my college classes. I will be getting done 31 hours this semester. That just thrills me; although, I wanted to get done 3 more hours. LOL

My semesters run for six months. However, life and holidays happen. I didn't get much done in Decemeber. My last day of this semester is Feb. 28. I have 9 more hours and then I start in the school of education. I am pretty happy with my pace.

Paul is a sick boy. His temperature shot up to 104.2 last night! Mark called Lee and he told us to bring him into the office this morning at 8 AM. He doesn't have strep but his white count is up. So, it looks to be a viral respiratory infection. His throat is raw and his ears are full.

Mark was told at Winds rehearsal Monday evening that there will be some band openings in the area for next year. Mark would like to teach just band and either just High School or Middle School not High School and Middle School Band and chorus. He would also like to have a larger band. This one is tiny.

Michael is thinking about changing his major to Art. A friend told me that Shorter Baptist College has a better Art degree than Brewton Parker. So, we are really praying about what God would have us to do.

Christmas 2006!!

This Christmas has been nice. Last night, we went and saw Paul as a shepherd in a live Nativity and then stayed for a lovely church candle light service. The evening was very Christ centered.

We came home and I prepared some appetizers and the family ate and talked and watched tv.

This morning was unrushed and I think that the boys like their gifts.

Here are a few photos! The first photo is our coconut cake! That's how the south gets snow on Christmas!! All of these photos are from Christmas eve. I haven't uploaded today's pictures yet.

Merry Christmas to ALL!!!

Christmas Eve's Eve......

Today has been a lazy day. I did get Mark's coconut cake baked. The icing is SO yummy!! Tonight we went to a Christmas musical at the Methodist church. It was an enjoyable production especially at such a small church.

I have to teach our Adult Sunday school class tomorrow morning - which I totally forgot about! My brain seems to take lots of vacations recently.

I feel a sadness coming over me this evening. It's like I am on the verge of buckets of tears and if I start crying, I may not stop. I wish that I wasn't teaching Sunday school in the morning. Normally, I love teaching but sometimes my emotions during this season run too high.

Man, this has turned into a depressing Blog!! I think that I'll hush until I can say something joyfilled!

Blessings,
Debbie

Wowhooo!! I had my piano student Christmas party.

I believe that the students all had a good time. They did a great job playing their pieces.

Now, Mark and I can begin to relax a bit from the pre-holiday rush. Mark had three performances with Brewton Parker college where he played the tuba. He directed the church cantata and children's choir and six (or seven) different groups from the High school and middle school. Of course, all of these groups represented a concert. He combined the Middle and High school concerts.

My best friend, Lauri and her kids are coming down on the 26th. I can't wait. Christmas day will be a just our family and I am looking forward to it.

Mark's mom had a stroke. She seems to be beginning to respond to therapy and we are hoping that we don't need to travel up to Tennessee over Christmas. We were there over Thanksgiving.


Here's the Christmas card picture of Paul.


Here's the Christmas card picture of Michael.

Merry Christmas!!!

It has been brought to MY attention........

That I need to update my Blog. Of course, it was done gently. I honestly didn't think that hardly anyone ever looked at it anymore. Oh, well.

Tomorrow is my Christmas piano recital for my student. It should be fun. My house isn't ready but it's only for the kids. :)

I will POST pictures of it tomorrow!!!!!!

Yes....I am still alive....

I have created a new board for Christian moms. My yahoo board just wasn't working anymore. The format was too hard to follow. So, I searched and found this site and then had my members vote on which board they liked best. :) It's been fun but a lot of work.

I have also enrolled back in college and I am working hard in school. I am attending Western Governors University which is an online accredited college.

I will try to write more SOON!

Blessings,
Debbie

Time for a post!!!

I have been busy the past two weeks. I started schooling Paul last week. We had school on Wednesday & Friday of last week and then started again yesterday. So, we have now officially completed 4 days of schooling. It's going pretty good. He is truly trying to be pleasant and keep a godly attitude.

I have been typing up an American History lecture for him daily and then he's answering questions from the BJU 8th grade history text. He is loving his Apologia General science - and so that's simply great. He's working hard in math and has a test tomorrow. Language Arts his is least favorite subject right now. He doesn't like the curriculum that I bought - but he will still have to use it.

I started teaching private piano yesterday. I am ONLY teaching one day a week. Mark has already had some more students asking him if I would take them on. But, I am already teaching to 7:00 PM on Monday nights. Paul came up to me late this afternoon and wanted to know WHEN I was leaving to teach. I told him that I was only teaching ONE day a week. He was happy about that news.

I have been doing a liquid type fast this week. I have survived 3 days. I am hoping to accomplish a few things during this fast. I want to jump start some weight loss but I am also trying to hear more clearly from God. I haven't decided how long my fast will last. I am eating smoothies, juices, soups, and small milk shakes. I am always amazed that I can totally stop chewing BUT I have problems staying on a regular reducing diet. I think that I am addicted to chewing. LOL

So, this is my little boring life right now.

Blessings,
Debbie

Michael's room

This room has a horrible paint job but he's going to have to live with it for a while.

I love the one of Michael sitting at his computer.

Photos of Paul's room

This is Paul's room. I thought that I had better take advantage of him being on a youth retreat to get a few shots of his room while it was clean! That one picture is looking into his side of the bathroom. That's his sink. If you continue into that room, his closet is opposite his vanity and the tub and toilet area are located in the middle room. Michael's sink and closet are on the other end.

Blessings,
Debbie

Sons....

Last night, my husband had a dinner meeting and so that just left Michael, Paul and me eating my nice dinner. I made one of Paul's favorites since he was heading out this morning to go on a Youth Retreat. I was kind of sad that Mark wasn't here enjoying the meal with us but the dinner time conversation got a little interesting.

First, the brothers were arguing (not yelling but having some sort of disagreement). I said, "Please, if you two can't find something civil and kind to say to each other then don't say anything.

Amazingly, they looked at me and stopped their fussing. Both begun commenting on the wonderful meal, asking questions about when their dad was going to get home. The conversation lagged a tad, and then Paul said, "You know that girl, S (insert name), that I talk to on the phone? I really like her."

Managing to keep my silence, I looked at him and smiled. I have learned if I begin to ask to many questions with this kid, he stops talking.

Paul continued on, telling me that she had the bluest eyes that he had ever seen. He described how they change colors depending on her mood. When S is happy, her eyes are bright and a light blue rimmed in gold but when she's deep in thought or upset, her eyes turn a deep blue, sort of navy.

Man, I wanted to scream, JUST how much have you gazed into this girl's eyes to wrap so poetic a description? However, instead I remarked that he had always loved blue eyes. He nodded his head, smiled and told me that he loves to stare into her eyes so he can determine her moods.

As Paul continued raving about this girl, his loving brother started relaying one side of Paul's telephone conversation with her. At first, Paul proceeded to go into great detail everything that S had said in response to his questions and statements. Lots of information was shared when a light bulb seemed to go off above Paul's head.

Paul couldn't believe that Michael had heard him TALK to her on the phone. Michael begins to explain since their rooms connect that hearing your loud mouth is pretty easy. Younger brother, becomes indignant, and claims that Michael has invaded his privacy and gossiped about him to mom!

Finally, they both look at me, as the only high court official in our home since Mark wasn't present. Paul demanded that I quote to Michael a Bible verse that bans eavesdropping. Even though, I wanted to say, "I WANT your older brother to LISTEN to ALL your conversations and report back to me," I refrained. Stifling a laugh, I told my son that I couldn't think of such a Bible verse. I said the Bible does say we shouldn't gossip but that I didn't think that Michael thought he was gossiping since Paul began the conversation about S.

Paul still looked quite wounded and hurt. So in my VAST wisdom, I told them that it would be impossible for Michael to never hear Paul talk on the phone BUT if he was privy to one of Paul's conversations that he shouldn't share what was said without Paul's consent. ugh

Well, that satisfied both of them. I then added that I really liked Michael's input into our conversation to which older brother laughed and younger brother rolled his eyes.

Blessings,
Debbie

Packing up a son!

I am so grateful that God has allowed me to raise Michael and Paul. I have loved watching them grow and mature. Both of my sons love Christ and are very kind to others. That blesses me to see.

Paul is going on a retreat tomorrow. He's leaving at 7 AM and will not be back home until Monday evening. Now, this boy has been going to Boy Scout camp for the past two years but his dad has always attended because Mark was a leader in troop. However, my baby will not have mom or dad with him for this Youth retreat. It's like another right of passage. I know he's more than ready to go and fly on his own but I still see that little boy whose hand used to be so small. I remember a time when he wanted mommy as his constant companion but those times are nothing but sweet cherished memories. He's growing up. That once small hand that could get lost in my hand is now bigger than mine.

I am still needed but not to rock him to sleep and go outside and catch butterflies but as the taxi service, cook, or the laundry maid! This morning, I have been doing his laundry for this retreat. A huge sleeping bag fills the washer. T-shirts and jeans slow turn in the dryer. I want his stuff to smell clean and remind him of home and his mom.

I worry. I worry that he'll have an asthma attack and ignore it. I worry that he'll get hurt white water rafting. I just worry. "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, peace and a sound mind," plays over in my head as I ready his belongings. That scripture sinks in and settles my heart.

I want to tell my baby not to go but rather just to stop and be still. And, let me cement into my mind this moment in his life which is all too quickly stepping over the realm of childhood into manhood.

Well, the mom (or rather the maid) needs to fold some laundry. There has been enough reflection on the past. Today is a new day and with God's grace, I will rejoice as I watch this son turn into a godly young man.

Blessings,
Debbie

Pressing

I heard the best message today on television from Joyce Meyers. It was about pressing past our feelings and emotions and looking at ourselves when someone irritates us instead of expecting to change them.

Basically, she was saying that we need to discover why we are angry instead of always looking to blame the other person. Of course, it's hard to look at our own hearts. She brought up several situations that were funny but they hit home.

She talked about how some people don't like up and joyful people. If they feel bad or serious, then golly, everyone else should be serious, too. She also hit upon those with jealousy issues, or feelings of insecurity. The message was great and I have thought about it a lot today.

Something, that I have always told my children when treated poorly by someone, is to kill that person with kindness! Say nice things to them. Help them when they need help. Be kind. And, most importantly pray for that person. I have told them, the point is NOT to change that person and make them like you BUT the point is for you not to allow bitterness to take root in your heart. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can change the other person, but we are called to display the image of Christ.

That is easy advise to give and very hard advise to live.

Blessings,
Debbie

Small bits of thankfulness

This morning my husband and I were chatting after our Bible time. He told me that he had slept soundly - that he even dreamed. I asked him what he dreamed about and he told me band. LOL Then, he went on to say that he didn't have to even get up in the night to use the bathroom. I responded that neither did I!

How funny!! I never thought that I would be grateful for that particular thing NOT occuring. Aging isn't for whimps! The surprising thing is when I look at this man, I still see the man that I loved as a 20 year old! Yet, here we sit, talking night time bathroom habits while sipping on our coffee.

Blessings,
Debbie

Am I delusional or what?

Today, I decided to bake hamburgers buns, cinnamon rolls and pan rolls. As I was slaving away baking using my KitchenAid Mixer to do the kneading, my relatively new Whirlpool oven to do the baking, standing in my air conditioned kitchen, I thought, "Wow!!! This is just like Little House on the Praire."

Snicker. Sometimes, I just have to laugh at myself. Can you imagine what Laura would have thought of our easy lives? Yet, we complain that we don't have enough. I have always said that I could be like that Proverbs woman if I had servants to order around. But, what I have is really just as good! I have appliances. I have never had to worry about one of my children dying from a childhood disease. I have never HAD to walk anywhere unless I chose to walk. If I decide to sew, I have a wonderful sewing machine. I have never had to weave cloth to make my family's clothing.

Yeah, boy.... my life is just like Little House on the Praire.

I have often wondered if I didn't live in such a wonderful time, would my family have suffered from want? Would I have worked hard and provided beautiful clothing, wonderful gardens filled with bounty? Would I have slaved on wash day, hauling water from a creek?

So, today, in my little mind, I had my sweet delusion of being a pioneer mom but I thankfully rejoiced that God allowed me to be born into a world of modern inventions!

Cinnamon rolls anyone?

Blessings,
Debbie

Old Wedding pictures.....

I had to hunt for pictures of my parents today for National Missing and Exploited Children. They are going to do age progressions and needed some better photos.

This one is Mark and me.
This one was made at my house. It's me and my sisters.



Man! Looking at those pictures brings back a flood of memories. One of those being that my eyes look bigger when I am thinner. LOL I can't believe how young we looked and I remember all of our hopes and dreams. Some of those dreams were stolen when my parents kidnapped two of our precious children; however, God has kept out feet from falling and put in our lives and hearts new hopes and dreams.

Anyway, once upon a time, I was a brunette, I was thin, and I was naive.

Blessings,
Debbie

I am SO excited!!!

Being the so smart gal that I am (NOT) after only over a year or so of blogging, I have finally figured out how to ADD links to my sidebar. I have added three friends' Blogs! How totally cool is that! I know that everyone is impressed with me. That is me at my computer looking so computer smart. Now, if I could add music. Blueberry has inspired me!

Blessings,
Debbie

This was fun!!!

What Type of Homeschooler Are You?

Martha Stewart No project is simple for you, everything is very involved; lace, ruffles, and flowers make it a good thing. Your curriculum is heavy on fine arts: art appreciation/recognition, historical architecture, music, creative writing, and literary classics. If your students absorb a little math and science along the way, so much the better. Visit my blog: http://www.GuiltFreeHomeschooling.blogspot.com
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

A few more pictures of the house!

I finally got some more pictures of the house - without boxes!

I am going to add a couple MORE pictures. I have to show everyone my red mixer! LOL

Blessings,
Debbie

Thoughts on worth...

My sweet husband has a Master degree in Church Music and has already been accepted into a doctoral program. I have always been extremely proud of him because I saw the sacrifice that it took for him to complete that seminary degree. Plus, the degree was an indication of work and commitment.

Often, when I compared myself to him, I would wonder why he married me and felt unworthy. I based this worth on my lack of degree. I have tried to complete my degree so many times in our marriage and then life happens and my schooling is interrupted.

I was asked to apply for a teaching position in a Christian school a few weeks ago. I told the folks who asked me that I didn't have my degree. The school's policy was to hire only 4 year degreed people. However, I was asked to still submit my resume. I thought, this will be embarrassing but felt compelled to go ahead and put my experience down on paper.

While I have worked outside the home during our marriage most of my experience comes from inside my doors or ministry that I have done over the years. As I started remembering all that I had done the resume grew to where I wasn't totally mortified to let someone read it.

Here's copy of what it included:

~~~~~~~~~
Objective:
Elementary Classroom Teacher

Experience:
15 years of home educating my sons

Taught an extremely dyslexic child how to read and write raising his reading level from a non-reader to low fourth grade in one school year

Have spoken at homeschool seminars on types of learning styles and curricula choices

Taught ESOL to migrant workers in KY

Taught and supervised ESOL and Laubach, a literacy program, for a minor league baseball team (Texas Rangers) in Punta Gorda, FL

Piano and voice teacher in FL for six years

Taught at VBS Training for Concord Baptist Association in
Murfreesboro, TN 1981 and Peace Rive Baptist Association in FL, 2002

Wrote devotions for a monthly Christian newspaper

Wrote articles for Boy Scouts events, Cotillion balls, and Middle and High
School Band concerts for the local newspaper.

Certifications, Education and Training:

Oakland High School (graduated 1976)
Middle Tennessee State University (1976-78)
South Florida Community College (2006)
Certified in ESOL through Baptist Association in Rome, GA (1991)
Certified in Laubach through Baptist Association in Rome, GA (1991)
Attended BJU homeschool week conference two different years and sat under the writers of their various curricula (1990 & 1998)
Trained at Grace Ministries International in Christian counseling -
Two day workshop followed by Five day Conference. (1999)


Awards and Honors:

High School: Beta Club, National Honor Society, Majorette, Student Council, various district awards in theater, Thespian, Math honor society, French Honor society, student directed one acts and musicals, Beta Club officer
College: President’s List last semester at SFCC with a 4.0 GPA

Personal Statement:

I have served for many years along side my husband at various churches where he served as Minister of Music, Youth, Education or Senior Pastor. I have led women’s Bible studies, written lessons and taught Adult Sunday school classes, led Children’s choirs, Mission Friends, and taught Senior High Sunday school. I have served as Committee Chairman for Cub Scouts, performed in musicals at area churches, done Community Theater, helped to organize outreach events with over 200 in attendance, and completed Faith training. I have been a volunteer worker for the Republican Party. I was pursuing my degree in Elementary education which has been interrupted due to my husband’s taking the position of Middle and High School Band director at Montgomery County. I am considering my options as to where to complete my degree at this time.

My youngest son is 13 and will be an eighth grader for this school year. My husband and I feel that this will be our last year to homeschool him because we are considering sending him to a Christian High school to complete this part of his education before he attends college.

I understand many special needs since I have had experience with learning disabilities in teaching my older son. My older son is now 23 and has been attending college for the past few years with a GPA of 3.0. We graduated him from homeschool high school when he was 19 and he chose to take a year off before attending college. While school is a challenge for him, I take extreme pleasure in the fact that he has already achieved more education than the professionals thought was possible for him when he was in public school. He attended public school for kindergarten and first grade. We were told that he would never be able to learn to read and write, graduate High School or sit in a college course. But, with God’s loving guidance, His supply of literary training for me, and Michael’s perseverance to overcome, our son has proven to the professionals that their testing and assessment of his skills were wrong.

I believe that our greatest gift to children is seeing them with the Father’s eyes and not through a test. We serve a great God who desires the best for His children. When I started home schooling my son, my prayer was that he would learn to read and comprehend the Word of God. God has more than answered that prayer. This past year, he won an award in Creative writing at his college.

The goal in education should be to help each child realize who he is in Christ. The verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” should be written on the foreheads of all students. Academics should be strongly emphasized but knowledge without God’s wisdom is vain. I believe that teachers should demonstrate a high calling in their lives to seek after God by living a life that acknowledges his authority and grace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After I turned in my resume, I was then asked to complete an application. Then, I was called to interview with the principal. She told me that she wanted to hire me to teach a class of 20 second graders. I was really astounded! The next step was an interview with the board.

In the meantime, my 13 year old son, wasn't handling the prospect of me working full-time. I finally trapped him and got him to talk to me and his dad. And, made a decision that the job could wait until I was done homeschooling Paul.

I called the principal and told her my decision. She was extremely understanding and told me that she has had to make the same choice in her life in regards to her children. She also told me that the school would be interested in me next year if I still wanted to teach!

The Chairman of the board called me later on that day, and told me that they were highly interested in me and asked if I would reconsider allowing the board to interview me. He told me that he was afraid since the board had taken to long to interview me, that I was thinking my lack of a four year degree was a problem. He assured me that they had checked on the legality of hiring me and that they could. He told me that all of them honestly felt that my life experiences made me the best person for this position - degree or no degree.

I cannot tell you what that did for my self-esteem.

But, the decision that I finally made was to continue to homeschool Paul and work on my degree.

Then, yesterday while at my husband's school, his Asst. Principal approached me about teaching some children piano lessons. I really didn't want to start teaching children in my home, again. So, I asked about using the bandroom (this is a public high school) on Monday afternoons at the school. I told her if she could help me line up 6 to 8 students that I would drive over to the school and teach them. She was thrilled and doesn't see a problem with me using the school for lessons!!! How cool is that!

So, here's my take on value. We are to do WHATEVER God puts in front of us with diligence and commitment. And, in due time, God will lift us to where He desires. A degree (I still want mine)or a job title shouldn't be the only objective in our life but being all that the Father desires and designs for our life.

We have made many a sacrifice along the road to homeschooling our boys. But, in the end, looking back down the road, I see God's hand. I tell others to look at who they are through God's eyes; yet, I forget to do that in regards to myself. Also, all of the ministry that I have done in the past has helped to mold me into the person that I am today. Ministry, especially where there is no pay, no glory, just work, can get difficult. Often, we can wonder WHY we are serving. We must keep our eyes on the goal that God has put before us which is to love Him and His children.

This lengthly post is trying to say basically one thing, "God will lift us up when we least expect it." Titles, positions, and paychecks can be enticing but in the end, doing the Will of God is all that matters. Our worth is found only in Him.

Blessings,
Debbie

Sunday evening.....

We visited First Baptist, again, this evening. We had a really nice time tonight. The Minister of Music, who has been at this church for 32, is moving into a different position, Exec. Asst. Pastor. Tonight the church had a special service to remember all he has done at his ministry. It was precious.

Afterwards, there was a fellowship. We chatted with lots of folks and some of the staff at the church. We have decided to try it again on another Sunday morning. Mark and I are really hoping to find a Sunday school class that we like. LOL

Paul is getting highly involved with the Youth at a Methodist church here in town. It's youth week all week at this church. The youth do service projects every morning all week, like raking yards, painting at the church. And then in the afternoon and evenings, they meet for fun stuff. Paul is pretty excited about the week. Two week from now, he is going on a retreat with this group and white water rafting. (be still my heart, that kind of scares ME!!!)

I'll try and post more pictures of my house tomorrow.

Blessings,
Debbie

The move is complete!

Here are a few pictures of my new home. I am so grateful to be back in the lovely state of Georgia! Life seems to have moved forward without skipping a beat.

We have Michael just about enrolled in college. He has applied at Brewton Parker which is a small Baptist college. Mark is working on getting financial aid at this point and Michael has applied for some student loans.

Paul has made several friends. He has gotten active in a Methodist Youth group. The kids that we are meeting are all sweet and great. God really answered my prayer about sending Paul friends who are Christians and active in their church.

Mark has orderd and received the music for the High School marching band. He's written the first drill. This is a really small marching band. I am praying that he can grow it!

I am looking at options as to where I should attend college this coming year. Also, I was approached about teaching at a local Christian elementary school. I have put my application in for a second grade position and I am being interviewed this week.

I am really seeking God's will in all of this. I think that I would love teaching in a Christian school; however, I need to figure out exactly how this will effect Paul's schooling for this year. I have most of his curriculum ordered for his eighth grade year and he wants to homeschool this year, too. I am wondering if they hire me, if they will allow me to bring Paul a few days a week to the school and if Mark can carry him a couple of days, too.

I don't think that Paul would want to be here at the house all day - alone. :o(

But, I believe if this is going to happen then God will work all things out to the good.

I love my house. We are enjoying the floor plan except the cooking area in the kitchen is just too small. We are constantly getting in each other's way!

We have been visiting area churches and that is kind of cool. We never get to do that because usually Mark is on staff at a church and that's where we attend.

I am going to do some laundry and general cleaning. I want my house looking pretty for the fourth.

Blessings,
Debbie