No, I haven't given...

up my blog for Facebook, like I've been accused.

It's the end of my semester and I've had a lot of reading, research and writing to do for my final paper. And, I had a lot to do to prepare for Thanksgiving (cooking, cleaning, and shopping.) I also wanted to complete a few projects before Chuck came home so he didn't have to do them. I try to not to inundate him with projects to be tackled when he walks in the door.

I'm getting excited by the fact that the end of the semester is a week away. I'm looking forward to reading for pleasure, baking Christmas cookies for parties we'll be attending over the next few weeks, and shopping for gifts (okay, I'm not looking forward to shopping.)

Thanksgiving weekend was great. We spent time with several families that we don't usually spend time with in the course of a week. On Thanksgiving day we had two families from church. Then on Friday we had three families over to play games.

Saturday, Chuck and the boys went out to the mall so I could work on my paper. They also rented a movie and hung out again last night. Our family time has greatly improved with Chuck's new job.

Today our friend Anthony is helping us get our computers strengthened out. Our desktop died and we had to buy a new one.

I'm still here...hanging on by a thread. By midnight Friday, I'll be one semester away from the second phase of my three/four part goal. I have two years before I have to decide if I want to tackle a Phd. (I'm thinking there isn't a 300 page paper in my brain. For pete's sakes, I haven't been able to to blog for weeks, why would I consider 300 pages?)

Blah, Blah, Blog...

is how I've felt over the last week and half. I've written several posts in my head, I even sat down and wrote two posts on the computer, but nothing felt right. It must be a blog bug. My sweet friend Kristy has had the symptoms I've had.

This is my weak attempt to start the writing juices flowing again. This will be a mixed bag of things happening in our world...

Chuck got home late Tuesday night. The boys and I were thrilled to see him. He's been a huge help in getting ready for Thanksgiving.

We just spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with two families from church. It was a quiet, simple day. A typical Thanksgiving, the men sat in front of the TV watching football games, while the women chatted around the table. Thank you dear friends for making the trip our way and for sharing and listening. What a blessing! Even Skipper had a guest. Yes, his friend from Delaware, Goliath, came for the weekend. We're dog sitting for our friends. The dogs get along well, and the boys enjoy caring for them both.

One week to go! But, one huge hurdle to get over before I get there. Only one week to the end of the semester. I have a tough paper ahead of me due Friday. I plan to buckle down on Saturday and write my heart out.

Zack didn't make the middle school basketball team. It's okay, he had stiff competition. He's fine with it and not too discouraged to try again next year.

I had teachers conferences with Clay's and Luke's teachers. They were great! I was so proud of them both. They're both doing well academically and socially. Clay's teacher loves his sense of humor, that he works hard and participates. Luke's teachers love his expressiveness, that he includes everyone in activities (apparently he's quite the socialite), and he works hard. We went to Pizza Hut to celebrate! I'm proud of my boys!

Random thoughts...

I'm lovin' the gas prices...skeptical, but loving it!

I don't understand why people hit their brakes, then turn on their turn signal ( blinker)??? I just don't get it! My husband summed it up best for me a few weeks ago... Jesus didn't have to put up with drivers, otherwise we might have a whole different Bible.

I'm dreading taking down my fall decoration to make way for Christmas. I don't hate Christmas, I just hate shopping, decorating, and being cheerful. Okay not really, I like to be cheerful.

Basketball season is going to be a bear this year. Four different teams!!! A logistical nightmare. Scouts, hip hop, and church take up 6 of our 7 nights. I think I can, I think I can...

Oh, I joined FB. It's scary!! No really, it scares me. Even more than blogging. But I have friends baby!!! I'm still learning the FB ropes.

I'm stuffed from Thanksgiving dinner and immensely blessed by the King who provides all!

So many thoughts...

buzzing through my mind about today (Sunday). I actually wrote this on Sunday, but I became bogged down by it, I had to put it aside until this morning. This post may be a mixed bag of what's happening in my mind as well as my perspective of what the Lord's day was like at church.

The Lord has been getting my attention for quite some time now by saying "You aren't giving me enough of you." I hear him. I'm not always sure how to give more of myself to him, today I know without a doubt what he wants. "More." In many ways I feel stretched to the limits, overworked, and emotional spent. Still, he knocks and says "More." To drive his point home he gave me several knocks today.

I'm working backwards as to how things came at me. Prevention, Prevention, Prevention. We exercise and eat right (well,--some do) to prevent disease. We brush our teeth, floss and go to bi-annual dental appointments (well,--some do) to prevent cavities. We read God's word, we're on our knees in prayer, and we spend time with fellow Christians to prevent satan's attacks (which are certain to come) from destroying us. As if cancer, cavities and attacks from satan in others lives isn't motivation enough to do what we KNOW we should do, we're surprised when something in our life causes us to be angry with God or break the prevention routine. Although this isn't MY struggle today, it is my brothers, my brother in Christ. The Lord has been getting my attention as if to say "Prevention, Prevention, Prevention, or this may be your struggle too."

"Thank you Lord for the reminder in Steve's sermon today." Isaiah 40:1"'Comfort, O Comfort My people,' says the Lord." Although Steve's sermon was really about 'Hope for the hungry or thirsty,' both spiritually and physically, his sermon spoke to me later as I learned of my brother's lack of desire to thirst and hunger for God. "Lord, you are always faithful to remind me that when I am comfortable with what I'm giving of myself, it isn't enough. Prevention, Prevention, Prevention."

There isn't really a comfortable spot in God. Have you ever noticed? Just when you think "Wow, I've matured, and I'm living the life He expects of me," He goes and moves the lines. He moves the lines because he loves us and he knows we are capable of so much more, in Him, than we realize.

He may take us through the desert to get us to understand, as in Isaiah 48:20-21. We will not grow thirsty because vs. 21 says "...He made the water flow out of the rock for them; He split the rock and the water gushed forth." My thirst is quenched by Him spiritually and physically because He provides all. By moving the lines into the desert I grow in him as he says in Isaiah 43:19 "I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." He's always inventing new things to prevent me from being too comfortable. Comfort in and of its self is okay, and I have comfort in the knowledge that I am God's, but he will not allow me to become comfortable in a stagnant manner. No way, he moves the lines to the desert.


In our "Treasured in my heart" Bible class Melva said "I'm not trying to be self righteous, I mean what I say as an encouragement." As if anyone could take Melva for self righteous. She has one of the sweetest gentle spirits of anyone I know. I'm sure it's because God moved the lines on her too. In her relationship with her mother-in-law, with her husband, and her children, God moved the lines. She spoke of her family and how she and Tom raised them in the Lord. They were always at church, it was a priority! She didn't say it, but thinking back on her talk I can see how God changed her by moving the lines. He moved state lines, motherhood lines, friendship lines and spiritual lines to turn her into the encouraging, Godly mother she is today.

One scripture that shows her awareness of God moving the lines in order to change her into a the mother she is today, is from Job 42:1-3 "Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 'I know that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted.' 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.'" As a mother she had her own ideas for her sons. The Lord had others. Melva admitted that her ideas were small compared to God's. As she saw what God was doing in her boys, more than she could have hoped for, as they grew and made choices of their own she recalled Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" This scripture focused Melva on the fact that God was in control and he knew what was best for her boys.

I identify with Melva on several levels. Number one, we both married Yankee's (not the baseball players, although that wouldn't have been a bad thing) and we moved smack in the middle of Yankee land (Not the BRONX, just the northeast) to be with our spouses. Number two, she has three sons, I have four. One of her son's, as a boy, was much like one of mine is as a boy, sends ya' to your knees on a regular basis. Number three, our husbands are a lot alike. Tom is a no nonsense kinda guy, a real man's man.

Melva's spoke of her life in term of Psalm 23:5 "...My cup overflows." She's aware of her blessings, she embraces them gracefully with full Melva hospitality, and is grateful to God who supplies them all.

There HE goes moving the lines again...He loves us so much that he won't let mus be comfortable, yet we're comforted. Wow!
...

Graduate school...

applications are no easy task. I think you should be accepted by any grad. school whose application process you're willing to complete. Do you know what they put you through to get into grad. school these days? One school asked for a blood sample and an egg, not of the chicken variety, my own personal egg. That might be a slight exaggeration, okay a gross exaggeration. If they had asked for an offspring, I might have considered it for a long uncomfortable silent pause--and then agreed heartily.

Whew...I'm glad I began my application process now. I'm a bit of a slow, no I'm a plodder at some things. I have to review the details, think about it, look at it again and then begin the process.

My intention is to apply to three universities. I'm hoping to get into Drexel U. It's really in my backyard compared to Rutgers U. and Syracuse U. Of course when it comes down to it, I'll go to the school that accepts me and gives me the most money.

If no one accepts me, I guess I'll finally get to the dust that's building up on the furniture, under the furniture and around the furniture. I can also de-clutter the corners and closets. What fun is that? I'd honestly rather put myself through grueling hours of research and paper writing. The sad reality of that statement is I would rather do the research and papers.

Tonight I was applying for scholarships, talk about a boring life. I'm not left handed of Inuit descent, I don't have one green eye and one brown eye and of Finnish descent, nor do I have any strange deformities like a tooth growing from my nose or a third eye and have five stepmothers. Hey, I'm a mom I have eyes in the back of my head? Oh yeah that would qualify as four eyes so that deformity isn't odd enough. It's seems I'm normal. Try not to laugh to hard at the statement!! Stop laughing. Really!

The only thing I really have going for me is that I'm a non-traditional student. Non-traditional is the polite way of saying I'm old, I flunked out of college the first time so now I'm doing it the hard way, with a family, while working. Hey, whatever it takes to show me the money!

I now get to grovel for letters of reference from my profs. and request transcripts O..N..E... M..O..R..E... time. I also have to produce an intelligable 500 word essay about why I want to go to grad. school. I'm not thinking I should use my wit, you know my sarcastic sense of humor kind, rather I should use the wit of knowledge kind.

I'm going to bed now. My eyes are tired from reading the applications fine print. You'd think they'd have a large print version for those of us over fortyish. Surely when I apply for my Phd they'll have a large print version. Humph...

A for Andrea...

but not just for the first initial of my name. The A is also on a paper that I was sure I'd earn a C on because of my argument.

My first educational career was at a Christian College, Oklahoma Christian back in the 1980's, when I didn't have the confidence to believe I was intelligent enough to graduate from college. I flunked out, more because I wasn't willing to sacrifice and do the homework to the best of my ability. How, I wish I hadn't flunked. There are several reasons but one in particular is that taking classes at a state school you get all the world's interpretations and belief's but sharing a christian view and faith is often discouraged.

My last paper, I couldn't help but argue from a Christian standpoint. This issue stood out to me in the play. I found what I believed was supporting evidence (I didn't believe it would fly with the prof, but whatever), and I argued my point.

When I received the paper on Wednesday, I was giddy with joy. First I only had three errors (I didn't plural a word, I added 'the' in a sentence that didn't need to be there and I used 'for' instead of 'of'.) The profs. comment went something like this "I don't usually like using literature as moral forum. That's not to say that it isn't present. That being said, you supported your argument well, and for that I must give you an A."

Well, slap me on the bottom and call me a newborn. When this man says I HAVE to give you an A, trust me it hurt him. He doesn't dish out A's like ice cream for a banana split. His A dishing is more like a Friendlies happy ending Sunday. He's stingy!!!

The last A I earned in one of his classes was a sophomore class.

A for Andrea, YIPPIE!!!

One of our boys...

is a rebel, occasionally with a cause. He always has been, well...different. I'm frequently annoyed by this child and frustrated by his outlandish ideas and behaviors. He's controlling, manipulative, selfish, persistent, tenacious, and headstrong. He's willing to speak out when others aren't. Often I think God dropped him in the wrong family. Chuck and I are such the 'don't make waves' kinda people. It has been a real struggle parenting a child who goes against the flow so often. (Secretly, I wish I had his guts.)

When he was young I believed him to be defiant. Then I thought he had Hitler like potential. Now I believe with prayer and guidance he is going to do something awesome for God. He's gonna be a David though. You know love hard, fall hard kinda' man. He's going to have his fair share of public sin because he enjoys being in the public eye so much. In his heart of hearts, God resides. (Like I said I secretly wish I had his guts, add to that, his heart that is contrite when convicted.)

Wesley is like my mom everything is black or white. Of course, I see in all the shades of gray. Wesley isn't sure grace should exist, except for him. I believe grace lives in all the extremes and everywhere in between. Also like his Grammy, he's honest (usually) to a fault. "Did you hit your brother over the head with that bat?" "Yes, and if you don't remove the bat from my hand, I'm gonna do it again." Of course I didn't react correctly to this kind of honesty at first, now I know how to react. I'm not saying I always react appropriately, but I know how to.

Tonight on the way home from church Wesley asked me to e-mail his assistant principle and request him to pull Wesley out of class so they can have a meeting. According to Wesley, most of the sixth grade class is unhappy about having to miss one recess per week in order to fit in a Spanish lesson. Wesley wants to discuss with his assistant principle the possibilities of getting a petition going to protest this loss of recess. As the conservative mom I want to say "It's only one recess. Spanish is good for you. Don't make waves no one will listen. Don't you know I work for the district!" Then there is the side of me that has learned to listen to my children and allow them to take the lead. What can it hurt by asking permission to send around a petition? He'll learn something from the process. He'll learn politics just by attempting it. He'll also find out what our educational system is truly made of by seeing how they handle it. If they squelch his idea, rather than seize the opportunity to educate him on the purpose, then they are missing their own purpose--"EDUCATION." Wesley is the perfect candidate for such an up taking, he's already had experience.

At age seven he'd to run to the end of the driveway for the paper to read the sports page before school. He became annoyed by the ads in the sports section for sexual drug enhancements. He was flabbergasted by these ads. He commented on them everyday for several weeks. (I believe he was as intrigued by them as he was annoyed, you know that David thing.) Finally I said Wesley "You have a voice, use it. Write the paper a letter." He did! It was a bit of a set up on my part. I wanted to see how much it really bothered him and what length he was willing to go to do something about it. Also part of the set up was the fact that his basketball coach was the CEO of the paper. Wesley didn't know. I figured it was a good test to see how far his letter would reach and if anything would be done.

In his letter he asked them to "remove the ads because he was offended by them and other young boys who read the sports section shouldn't have to see those kind of things in the paper." We just addressed it as a letter to the editor. The chief editor received the letter and said to the CEO "You have to read this letter from a seven year old boy." When coach realized who had written the letter he was impressed. He made a point to tell Wesley he was proud of him and that he went about the process the right way. As a result, they removed the ads from the sports section and relocated them to another section. Not bad for seven years old.

As for his request to reclaim recess from Spanish, I'm proud of him for taking on the responsibility. He's one of his grades student council representatives he believes he owes his fellow classmates a voice for something they believe passionately about. He's radical, so were Fredrick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and Florence Nightingale. Thank goodness they were. They've changed our world for the better.

What is God preparing Wesley to do?

Christmas anything...

before Thanksgiving makes me cranky!!! I respect that a man needs to make a living, but why, oh why must retailers push holidays earlier and earlier each year? Pretty soon I'll be able to buy Christmas in July.

Truth be known Christmas in general makes me cranky. It's my least favorite holiday. I like the parties, decorations, cookies, and cards/letters but, I hate the gift buying and giving. Don't get me wrong, I love giving gifts! I prefer to give a gift because I found something the person liked, or as a token of appreciation, these can be given at any time of year. To have to buy gifts and give them because it is 'tis the season' turns me into a Scrooge.There's so much hubbub for one day. I love Thanksgiving, it's simple!

Get this widget!

Bah Hum Bug!!!

I guess I'll pull out my Christmas cookie recipes so I can have something to look forward to as we approach 'tis the season'. Look for my Christmas cookie list coming soon. I'll share a few favorite recipes too.

Grati...

Hello, my name is Andrea and I'm addicted to my computer. Chuck was switching out the laptop for our desktop and I didn't have Internet access for 12 whole hours, 8 of which I was asleep. I learned that I'm in love with my computer, or at least the internet. Do they have support groups for computer/internet junkies? Would it be over the line to dedicate Gratituesday to my gratitude for my computer? I suppose if I have to ask the question, I know the answer, right?

Instead, I'd like to follow in one of my new sisters footsteps. On occasion she Blesses someone in a post. She has blessed both of our preachers wives recently. They truly deserve to be blessed. These woman are two of the most intelligent, hard working woman I know. They are God fearing, spirit lead and use the gifts God has given them, to their fullest. I am so blessed to worship alongside them and learn from their example. But, that's not who I'm blessing since Kristi (with an i, you'll get the distinction later) recently has.

The Blessing- My sweet sister in Christ and long standing friend Kristy (with a y) is who I bless today, on Gratituesday. Like our preachers wives Kristy is God fearing, spirit lead and intelligent. I'm the one blessed to worship alongside her and learn from her example.

I've known Kristy since she was just a young girl, 6 or 8 years old. She's always been mature beyond her years. She was Zack's first baby sitter, the kind of sitter that did laundry, dishes, played with Zack and had everything in order when you got home. She made many trips with me to Baltimore to pick up or drop off Chuck at the airport when he traveled to his boat. Didn't you even go to Boston with me? Kristy has a heart for God especially a missionary heart for the lost. She sees the neglected/peripheral in a congregation and reaches out to them. She studies God's word and has a daily relationship with Him. She's a wife so proud of her Godly husband. She's a patient & kind mother who teaches her boys about God in all the moments of a day. She's a true friend. I enjoy our time together every time I'm with her. She's real, she'll express her struggles and her joys and she praises God in them both. I'm blessed beyond belief to have her as my friend. Her talents are far greater than many know because she is a quiet servant.

Dear Lord, I pray for Kristy to continue to open her heart to you, and allow you to change her for your good. Please help her find a place to serve you using the gifts you've given her. Guide Shawn to a fulfilling career, that will allow him to serve you and be home with his family. Help Shawn to have confidence in his abilities as an employee, husband, father and child of the King. Continue to help them raise the boys to love and serve you as leaders in your kingdom. Bless them abundantly monetarily and in their spiritual and physical health. Never forget their names, they love you! ~Amen~

"...But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Psalm 31:30

To join Gratituesday please go to Heavenly Homemakers and add your link so others can be encouraged too!

Several years ago...

one of our ministers taught a Wednesday bible class from the book The Blessing, by Gary Smalley and John Trent. It was a wonderful eye opening experience, as a student and child of God, to understand the positive impact that a blessing can have on someone, in particular your child.

Today I learned how Patti Sikes and her husband Steve blessed their own children. Patti taught our "Treasured in my Heart" Sunday morning Bible class. Our ministers and elders wives have each taken a week or two to discuss how, like Mary who "Treasured these things in her heart", they have treasured moments in their hearts from their child rearing days.

Patti has treasured in her heart that her children are blessed with spiritual gifts from God. Not only has she taught her children about God, and about building a relationship with God, she took it a step further and taught them the identifying traits they each have of God. She stated "one child is a leader and is gentle, so he's the Lion and the Lamb." Of another child she stated "she is a counselor, healer, peacemaker." For each of their four children she was able to do this. I saw it as a blessing to her children. She was able to help her children see the Christ like characteristics they each possesses, which helped them realize the way the spirit is manifested in them.

I'm grateful for Patti's example to follow. I have the opportunity to bless my children with the realization that not only did God create them, they have God's DNA in them, just as they have my DNA. The spiritual gifts they have are God's DNA! That's awesome! I'm hoping this will give them a concrete identity, rather than the abstract identity which is difficult for children to grasp. I'm praying that helping them identify their spiritual gifts will give them purpose-to-action.

Patti also discussed the gifts that the Lord developed in Steve and her over the years. The only thing the two of them had in common was Christ's blood when they got married. The Lord developed shepherding and teaching gifts in each of them. From this idea I want the boys to learn that the gifts they have now, aren't the only gifts they will inherit, nor are they gifts for a life time. God may use current gifts to give birth to others as the boys mature to young men and from young men to men. He may diminish gifts as others become fully developed. Likewise, he may extinguish gifts that have been wasted by lack of use.

I'm excited to have the opportunity to bestow these blessings on my sons. How much more is the Lord excited to share gifts with me as his heir?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the way Patti, if regular ed. teachers are trained to teach the median students, and special ed. teachers are trained to teach the exceptional spectrum, who helps the average to not feel average? That's a curse unto it's self! One I've struggled with my whole life.

I love this poem...

The Boy Who Kissed His Mother by Eben E. Rexford

She sat on the porch in the sunshine,
As I went down the street-
A woman whose hair was silver,
But whose face was blossom sweet,
Making me think of a garden,
Where, in spite of the frost and snow
Of bleak November weather,
Late, fragrant lilies grow.

I heard a footstep behind me,
And the sound of a merry laugh,
And I knew the heart it came from
Would be like a comforting staff
In the time and the hour of trouble,
Hopeful and brave and strong;
One of the hearts to lean on
When we think that things go wrong.

I turned at the click of the gate-latch
And met his manly look;
A face like his gives me pleasure,
Like the page of a pleasant book;
It told of a steadfast purpose,
Of a brave and daring will-
A face with a promise in it
That God grant the years fulfill.

He went up the pathway singing.
I saw the woman's eyes
Grow bright with a wordless welcome,
As sunshine warms the skies
"Back again, sweetheart mother,"
He cried, and bent to kiss
The loving face that was lifted
For what some mothers miss.

That boy will do to depend on,
I hold that this is true-
From lads in love with their mothers
Our bravest heroes grew,
Earth's grandest hearts have been loving hearts,
Since time and earth began.
And the boy who kissed his mother
Is every inch a man.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have always been affectionate with our boys. Three of them will still sit in our laps. We sit on Zack's lap now that he's 5 ft. 8in. and a size 13 shoe, and growing daily. Zack will walk by me and send a smooch in my general direction, making the kissing sound while puckering his lips, and saying "I love you." He melts my heart each time he does it.

Wesley will come and lean on me as if I'm a piece of furniture, or rub my feet and legs, he gives the VERY best hugs.

Clay will walk up and hug and kiss me while saying "whose the prettiest Mom in the world?" or "You are beautiful mom!"

Luke will come to me and say in his baby (yes, at age 7) incomplete sentence talk that he does on occasion, with a most pitiful puppy dog face "Hug? Kiss?" and fall into me.

I treasure these moments. I hope that when my "hair is silver" and they become men they'll still bend down to kiss me. My boys, my heroes, my heart!

I voted in...

yesterday's election on moral issues alone. The man I voted for didn't win. I'm okay with that because God is really in control.

As I watched the polls last night, and saw the tears on my fellow Americans faces, I too couldn't help but cry. Finally, Black Americans have broken the glass ceiling. Finally, Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has come true. I'm blessed to be an American!

The majority of our nations population see President Elect Obama as change, hope, and continued freedom. I know, no matter what the majority of our nation believes, and no matter who is in the oval office, these things are true and from God's inspired word:

True change comes from knowing Jesus Christ and renewing my mind--
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed [Changed] by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

True hope is in Jesus Christ through salvation from sin--
"But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:8

True freedom is in Jesus Christ because I am no longer a slave to sin because of salvation--
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13

I'm blessed to be a Christian!

My friend Eric had this article link on his blog about the President Elect, and our role as Christians toward him and the nation. Please take the time to read it in its entirety. The last two paragraphs are the MOST important, especially if you are as disappointed as I am about the election.

Grati-

finds me grateful for a time of sharing prayer with eight sisters in Christ earlier this week. We each took turns praying and listening to one another sharing from our hearts.

I love listening to other sisters pray. You gain insight to their joys and struggles. On occasion, you witness first hand, God's answer to a prayer you were previously privy too.What did my sisters pray at The Kings feet for? They prayed for other sisters, children, friends, family, our nation, each other, husbands, safety, struggles, joys, health issues, church leaders, and trivial everyday life issues. What an honor to hear their intimate words of faith. I was encouraged by their tender hearts that are humbled by God's awesome power to heal all, care for all and save all.

The Gratitude I'm feeling on Gratituesday is for my sisters in Christ.

It's good to be an heiress to The King, I have amazing siblings!

Jesus said "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." Matthew 21:22

To join Gratituesday please go to Heavenly Homemakers and add your link so others can be encouraged too!

Luke came home from...

school on Monday and announced with pride that he won Citizen of the Month for his grade. He earned a free snack in the school cafeteria, braggin' rights at home, and huge high fives and hugs all around from us for displaying a Christ like disposition at school. Of course the school wouldn't refer to them as Christ like, but we know from where the good citizen characteristics come.

Luke at Camp Manatawny, one of his favorite places on earth. No doubt it's a contributory factor to his Christ like disposition.

Way to go Lukalious, we are so proud of you!!!

Yesterday I lost sight...

of the fact that all my days were ordained by God before I was even born. I usually refer to it in the not so spiritual terms of "Someone else is living the life I'm supposed to be living."

You see, in the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living my husband has a job where he comes home every night. The only issue with finances would be 'Where will we spend our next vacation-- Hot or Cold weather?' or 'Which color should we get the Escalade in? "Oh really! I was thinking Gold Mist." His spiritual insight and intellect would be the same as mine (you know in keeping with unity), and he'd be wise enough to always make the right choices. His spiritual walk would be one to mimic by man and beast.

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living my children would cause only minor stresses, and they'd know I'm the kind of mom they could share any thought or idea with and that I wouldn't judge them, and they'd never say I hate you, or "I can't wait to grow up" (which is code for you drive me insane I can't wait to move out. Fortunately I haven't heard this yet, but I know it's coming.) I would never compare my children to others, even just in my mind. I would appreciate my boys equally all the time. My children would wear clothes that match because they wanted to, not because I made them, church clothes wouldn't be a shirt with a collar (that would be play clothes), church clothes would have a collar and tie. Never a cross word would be uttered from their lips for a sibling, they'd all be sincerely spiritual, high academic and athletic achievers, self motivated and would have full scholarships to christian colleges.

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living I'd think as much of myself as God does, I'd always have a positive attitude-- looking at life with rose colored glasses and the glass half full.

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living fat doesn't exist (nor do sagging, glasses, hair color, and bladder incontinence {from laughing , sneezing or coughing}, dry skin, or a need to pluck & tweeze). Eating healthy wouldn't be an issue it would be a way of life, so would exercise.

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living I'd be an overachiever, you know the kind where Mensa knocked on my door and begged for my membership, except I'd have common sense and be pretty too, not just a high IQ.

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living I'd get along with everyone (yes even the in-laws). I wouldn't be burdened by so many pet peeves (gum cracking, ice crunching, snot sucking {use a tissue for heaven sakes}, pen clicking, eating with mouth open, talking while chewing, humming, whistling...I think you get the picture?)

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living I'd be turning down House & Garden's request for interviews and photo shoots of our home that I've decorated impeccability all by myself. I'd keep it as neat as a pin with no evidence that four young gentlemen reside here. All the socks would be matched and all the clothes hung on hangers or perfectly folded and put away while still warm from the dryer. Martha Stewart would be out of a job. Every guest that comes through my door would feel kindred warmth, welcomed, special and honored. Our home would be comfortable for them like a favorite pair of jeans. But when they left they'd feel like they had been guests at the Waldorf Astoria, where they'd eaten tasty fare from the likes of Barefoot Contessa, except on fine china--hand wash only please!

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living my childhood would have been perfect which would have given me the foundation I needed to become all God intended. I wouldn't have any baggage to keep me from being the Godly spouse, parent, friend, child and sister I need to be.

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living I'd shop in NY for my wardrobe, get my hair cut in NY and see a play monthly after dining at some off the beaten path restaurant in Hell's kitchen or the Village.

In the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living my spiritual life would be one to envy-- I'd never fall asleep in a prayer, I'd read my Bible everyday without fail or excuse, I could quote scripture-- chapter and verse, and teach classes so moving that Beth Moore would need to find a new career, and like my children (who learned from me of course) I would be genuinely spiritual from sitting at Jesus feet daily. There would never be bitterness (from real or imagined circumstances) envy, or judgement in my heart. Finally, I would exude humility, love, faith and all those fruits in Galatians.

I don't know what I'll do if I ever run into the woman whose living the life I'm supposed to be living? I really don't...

In Bible class on Sunday, Melva read a scripture that I needed to hear in order to pull myself out the the pity party I was having over being a mediocre member of society. She reminded me that I AM LIVING THE LIFE GOD INTENDED ME TO LIVE. I know it's taboo to acknowledge publicly that I don't sit around everyday of the year counting all my blessings. I realize that some will chastise me later. If you can't forgive my lack of mental filter and transparency I know someone who can. God is always faithful and patient. He reminds me gently like He did in Bible class yesterday, that I need an attitude adjustment. Thank you Lord!

Here's what The King said to me:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. ALL THE DAYS ORDAINED FOR ME WERE WRITTEN IN YOUR BOOK BEFORE ONE OF THEM CAME TO BE." (Psalm 139:13-16)

Do you see how he made it sound like that came from my perspective? He could have been one of the those fathers who said "I created you...you will praise me...I ordained..."

Even with that divine knowledge, I'm struggling with the fact that all the socks aren't matched! Go figure? I think I'll go finish my cornbread...now where is that paper plate? Ah, here it is next to the hair dye and tweezers...

Oh, and did I mention in the life someone else is living that I'm supposed to be living hormones would NEVER affect my personality?

(NOTE: YES, THIS IS A GROSS COMEDIC EXAGGERATION, don't panic, I haven't gone mad, YET.)

Right here in our...

own little state there was a young man who dressed as Jesus for Halloween. The middle school officials in Paramus sent him home because "his costume was a distraction to the educational process and offensive to some." The school was even quoted as saying "students were asking where is the boy who is Jesus Christ?"

Click here to see the TV interview with the young man and his mother. According to his mother the youngman wasn't mocking Jesus or Christians, he's from a home with a Catholic mother and Jewish father.

The hubbub that this youngman's costume caused reminds me of 2000 years ago and the scene Jesus caused. People didn't believe He was a savior, they were offended. They sought to have him crucified. Yet others said "where is this man Jesus Christ?" They couldn't get enough of Him. Still, to few believed in the peace and salvation he afforded.

We've come so far in 2000 years medically, technologically, and mechanically. Still we are behind the curve in the most important way. Still, to few believe in the peace and salvation Jesus affords.

In this article and TV interview you'll see that this young man states "it's like a mini remake of what happened to the real Jesus."

Matthew 8:34 "And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw Him, they entreated Him to depart from their region."

Historians say history repeats itself!