7 things you may not know about me!....You have been tagged!



Hmm...

1. When I was 2 yrs old and my brother was a few weeks old, my mom left us in the car with it running while she ran in to get milk at the Amish neighbors house.... Well, I got out of my seat (and this is in the OLD days when cars had no safety measures like they do now!) , put the car in drive and....away we went!! mom screamed but was frozen to the spot at the window, the amish heard her scream, ran out and stopped the car JUST as we pushed through the fence around the manure pit, one wheel hanging over the edge of the pit! I distinctly remember being paddled by both mom AND dad! :(

2. I have one brother and two sisters. I played with my brother more then I did my sisters. ur favorite thing to do.....go out in the shop and either explore dark corners or whatever came to mind that day! We had to take a bath EVERYDAY as we were covered in grease from head to toe! Maybe that is why I am a "grease monkey" LOL!

3. Before I was allowed to get my license my dad made me learn how to change a tire, change oil, do a maintenance check, and DRIVE a 5 SPEED! wow! Talk about a hair raising experience there! :) He had an old 1982 F150 that I learned on and ...well, lets say it was not the nicest shifting vehicle! But I was determined to master it so I could get my license, and I did!! Even made it starting off on the 772 hill at 23 in Leola! (It is a steep hill, even automatics coast backward on that hill)

4. I want more then one baby and struggle with why God lets everyone else get pregnant but me! ???!! But I am learning that all things work together for good to those that love Him....in HIS time, not mine.... :(

5. I tore my ligament, broke my knee cap and chipped other bones and ruined the cartiledge in my knee all from a game of softball! I was 11 years old then.... Then when I was 18 I injured it again playing volleyball. I then had knee suregery done and it has since been a LOT less painful!! Still bugs me in the cold and when I try running etc...

6. I HATED school but loved the school work??!! Huh?? Yeah, I know I am weird! So when I became a teacher it was great! I got to go to school and try to like it this time! LOL I taught for 3 years..

7. I went on a missionary trip to Guatemala a few months before my wedding and almost did not come home! I so wanted to stay! Loved it!

Another round of things I am thankful for..........

#1. A pastor who loves the Lord with all his heart and preaches the truth!
#2. The freedom to worship the Lord.
#3. Being allowed to read the Bible and not have to hide it from authorities.
#4. A church family who cares for others.
#5. Blankets to keep us warm. :)
#6. Our forefathers who set up the freedom in our country.
#7. Good Christian books that help to encourage us and edify us in our walk with God.
#8. Friends who tell it like it is! (preferrably nicely though) LOL
#9. Prayer!! So important!
#10. Radio stations that are God-focused.
#11. Artists who praise God in song!
#12. The mailman for delivering my mail faithfully and regularly!
#13. All the behind the scenes people who help to make this world what it is!
#14. My mother who has quietly tried to teach me right from wrong.
#15. My father who has been the provider and leader in our childhood home.
#16. Cindy Wendland, who has many of the same trials that I do and has been such an encouragement to me by remaining strong in her faith after all these years of suffering!! Thank you Cindy!
#17. For Sharon Martin who has been a friend even when I was not a good friend! Love you!
#18. And of course all the people who are there to encourage me just when I think I am going to quit!
#19. For my son Brent who is healthy!
#20. For all the future children that I am BELIEVING God will send my way someday!
#21. For jobs that provide income to pay bills.
#22. For neighbors who are there for you when you need them.
#23. For hot water heaters, no more waiting till you got enough water boiled to fill a tub! I have done that for a few of my married years! Manageable but you cannot imagine :)
#24. For the pastors wife, Dixie, who is a real blessing to so many people! You have helped me so much already! Love you!
#25. For inventors who have invented things that make our life a bit more comfortable! Things we now seem to think we can no longer live without :)
#26. For food on the table.
#27. A roof over our heads, even if it leaks at times :S it is still better then none! :)
#28. For gasoline, even when the price tag hurts. If you do not like it GET A HORSE for crying out loud! :)
#29. I think I am going to mention God again! He is just so wonderful, He provides for us, cares for us, leads us in the paths of righteousness, strengthens us and the list goes on and on!
#30. For those who are willing to lay down their very lives and their childrens lives when persecuted for their faith! What a testimony! We live in such a free country, how would we respond if asked to denounce God or lose our lives or those of our children?
#31. Again for the freedom to live our lives for God. How are you serving Him?


Ok, my mind is again drawing a blank so I will try again another day!

365 days of Thanksgiving!!??

Ok so we are to prasie and thank God every day not only the month of Thanksgiving, so..... I am about to see if I can come up with a thanks for every day!

1...thankful for wash to fold; it means we have clothes to wear.
2....dishes to wash; means there is food to eat.
3...son who is hyper; means he is healthy.
4....husband who yells :( it means I do have a husband!
5..when I stub my toe; I still have feelings in my body and can still walk.
6...an alarm that rings; means I can still hear!
7...house work; we have a house to live in.
8...thankful for how awful medicine tastes; it means we can afford it!
9...for vehicle repairs; we have a vehicle!
10...for mean people; help remind me to love like Christ loved me.
11...ABOVE ALL thankful for the fact that God loved me so much He gave His Son to die for our sins so that we could go to heaven with HIm!!
12...friends who truly care and love to be with you.
13..family who does what they can to help shape you into the adult you are.
14...propane bills; we have heat.
15..electric bills; we do not live in the dark or need to read by candlelight.
16...when the electric goes out; reminds us to be grateful for it when we have it.
17...water to drink, without having to walk miles for it.
18...winter; the cold kills the flu bugs.
19...snow; makes everything so clean looking. And to think we are washed WHITER then snow!!
20...Spring; makes everything so pretty and fresh.
21..Autumn; love the brilliant colors and cooler weather,
22...Summer; love the warm summer sunshine and SWIMMING!
23...thankful we live in Iowa; we have room to breathe! :)
24...thankful family is 1100 miles away; it makes us cherish the few times we are together.
25...traffic jams; teaches you patience! :S
26...church family who help encourage you to press forward.
27...corn burners that break; reminds me how thankful I am when we have heat.
28...warm hugs and kisses from my son and of course friends hugs too!
29...for my memory..
30...my health.
31...a God who will provide for us today, tomorrow and the next week, year, century!

Ok well, I am running out of things to write today!! I guess that was one month, now I will have to think awhile and then do some more......

I dare you to try and think of 365 things you are thankful for!! :)

Storms of life

So it is way past time I updated this once!

Well, this is a very trying time in my life again...No one can really understand unless they have been there! My husband has once more been laid off for the winter, knew it was coming months back, and we have as of yet to find a job to replace it! It is soooo hard to believe that good will come out of this!

Brent is growing out of his clothes, we have no propane for the furnace, the corn burner quit working and my cupboards are becoming very bare! I worry that Brent will get sick or starve and all that stuff! I worry we will lose our house and live on the streets!

Don't get me wrong, I do not sit around all day worrying about it but it does come on to me!
So everytime it comes to my mind, what if? I have decreed to pray about it! Well, it seems all I do is worry, pray, worry, pray!

And really, where are friends who call you or message you and say, we care! We may not know how it is but we want to be there for you!

I think the #1 thing I am learning in this is: Do not just say we care when you do not, and do not try to fix it for them but pray with them and for them! Give them time and friendship! NEVER say to anyone that they are lazy or dumb or whatever! NEVER get so wrapped up in family and close friends so much that you do not have time for them......

This morning I read John 6:16-21....Our lives are so like the churning sea that the disciples sailed on that night. When Jesus walked on the water all the troubles were under his feet. So as we struggle to row through the storms of life we can know that He is in control and that all the troubles are under his feet..... What a wonderful feeling!

And no that does not mean that the human nature never rears up again but that when it does we can lean on Him for comfort...

I still do not know what God has planned here but PLEASE join me in praying that Steve might find his calling and follow his dreams and that I could be a faithful helper through this all! Thank you!


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A poem from my heart

God there are so many questions I long to ask
There are so many answers I desperately seek
Like why was I created? What purpose do I serve?
How do I become more like you, lowly and meek?

Why do I carry such a heavy cross?
When others seem to glide on by,
why do I walk this road all alone?
And others are too busy to help me cry?

What is the purpose of being abused,
Left alone at the side of the road?
what is it you are trying to tell me,
Asking me to bear this heavy load?

Why does it feel like you left me?
Or am I walking away from you?
How do I draw closer to lean on you?
By going to church and sitting in the pew?

I've cried and prayed and read your word
Yet still, here I sit crying alone,
Where are you God? Why am I so lonely?
Oh, where are you God? Please don't throw a stone.

I am so battered and bruised
So weary and worn
Have been feeling this way
Since the day I was born.

Sure there have been days
Where I felt cherished and loved
Not by earthly beings
But by God above.

So God if you love me so much
Why do you do you allow the very one I love
To tear me to bits and crush me to powder
When will you take me to heaven above?

All these people here below
they laugh and tell me not to worry
They pretend to be your friend for awhile
But soon they turn and leave you in a hurry.

I am trying to trust you Lord, in what'er betide
You promised never to leave me
To come to me when ever I call
So I am begging you down on my knees,

Come, oh please, come to me
Carry me far away
Help me dear God
To get through this day.

And the next, and the next, and the next........

One day at a time, please Jesus.
That's all I am asking of you........

searching, pain, God

Today was one of those days that comes twice a year for me......

Having to help butcher over 600 chickens in Alta Vista. Not exactly a job I love but.....Hey, someones got to do it.

So, I was set to work cleaning the hearts, livers and gizzard. Those of you who do not know, the gizzard is a heart shaped organ where the chickens food passes through. It has a strong lining inside so we need to cut it open and pul that lining out and clean it. Sometimes that lining can be down right stubborn about coming out, and that set me to thinking.....

Since this is heart shaped, my thoughts went like this;

When we ask God to clean our heart, He too will want to 'rip' out the old lining and wash it clean. But how often do I kick and scream saying, "Ow, Lord that hurts too much, just do this part. Let the rest go it isn't THAT bad."

So I began to wonder, will I allow God to 'rip' it all out? Will I allow Him to get rid of it all, no matter how painful? Will I give Him everything? Only then can He truly clean my whole heart.

I don't know about you, but I know I have some more heart searching to do. Maybe that is a life long process, I don't know.

But, I for one will never look at a chicken the same again! ;) Maybe they aren't as dumb as we think. LOL....

Thoughts

So today I am at one of Brent's adopted 'Grandma's'.

We were baking whoopie pies all morning. Then around lunch we went outside to do tomatoes so we could watch the backhoe dig up the driveway.

While out there I suddenly had a 'Sonstroke'.

Ever experience them?

It happened a bit like this;
As we were cutting tomatoes, I suddenly sliced my palm with the knife (something I find quite easy).

Well,, having to run in for a bandage I laid down my knife. Upon my return I saw my little snicklefritz using it to cut HIS tomatoe.

I yelled, "Put that back, you will get hurt!"

"No, Mom, I not hurt. I can do it myself!"

As he was barely finished saying it he suddenly started to scream and dance in circles. I knew immediately what he had done.

After cleaning it up and putting a bandaid on and lots of hugs and talking, we finally went back out. He was not about to go anywhere near the knives now!

As I picked up my knife to return to work I was struck by a thought;
How many times do I as a human say to God, "See I am fine. I can do it myself. I am not getting hurt."?

How often do I complain or kick against the 'pricks' that come in my way? Shouldn't my focus be instead on, Lord what is it you are trying to teach me with this trial, etc.?

How often do I ignore the admonition of the Father and end up getting hurt?

Too many times!! I am now 'suffering' from Sonstroke and hope that I may learn a lesson from it!

By the way, I love this blogging idea! I can come back and read this lesson over and over!!

Well, it is official......

I am in love..... It isn't so much that I just now became in love, but that the love is new every morning!

No, I am not talking about natural love, this is ......ummmm.....

Unexplainable love. Everlasting love. Infinite love. Love from heaven above.

I am talking about the love of my Saviour. The one who gave His life, desires, all that He could, just for ME! And you, all He asks in return is that we confess that we are sinners and to obey His Word, the Bible.

So yesterday we came home from church, pulled in the driveway and.....

Yeah, there we sat with our jaws hanging!

Someone came while we were gone and mowed our yard for us! They did not just do a quick job at it, but rather they did a superb job. All was very neatly done and trimmed!

That could only be from God! Someone is a true neighbor and friend! I am just bawling as I write this, God knows how horrible things are around here right now and sent someone to help to brighten up our day.. I will be eternally grateful to whomever did this.

I wish there were someway I could repay them a hundred fold... I will be keeping my eyes open for any and all opportunities to help any and all neighbors, that is for sure...

Thank you Father for coming through for me again even before I asked.....

May I ever serve You and draw nearer to You... Put my focus on You Lord, not the world...

So I decided to try this blogging out....see if I still remember how to write! So today is Saturdayand like all other days, my 3 year old son wakes me up before I feel like waking up!

Thankfully he was perfectly happy to play with his toys so that I could spend plenty of time in the presence of our Lord! Something I cannot seem to get enough of lately.....I also had four hours while he was napping in the afternoon! Wow! I feel great today, didn't get much done but.....

I did mow part of the yard with our "Amish" mower (no motor, push mower) Takes hours to mow all our yard with that thing but, the other mower is broken and part is stilllll not in!! Been broken for six weeks now. :( Patience woman... I will just pretend that it has helped me lose ten pounds and I have preserved gallons of whatchamacallit from the ozone!

So today I am wondering, does anyone else have a problem with saying the word no? I have this friend who seems unable to do anything alone.....like three boxes of tomatoes canned into juice..and then to top it all off she is forever insulting me by saying I have nothing to do! What is up with that??!! And I continue to be a pushover and run to her rescue when she hollers.. Why, oh why, do I keep subjecting myself to this kind of abuse?

Well, I think my answer is that I am so desperate for friends that I just want to do whatever possible to feel like someone likes me...Maybe someday I will have to blog about my childhood then maybe you all will agree to my assessment of myself... Man, I hate when I hate myself!

No, no talk like that, you are a child of the King!! A princess!! He has created you for a very unique purpose here on earth... Do not try to be like others or try to get everyone else to like you but focus on Gods love.. He will never, NEVER leave you or forsake you like all those earthly friends....

Okay, so now I am talking to myself and answering back! This is getting to crazy for me likings...So adois amigos!