Julie for Sheriff

Wow! It's been so long since I've posted!! Well, I'll have to back track as I find the time but for now I wanted to share our fun day at the Elkhart County 4-H fair. We all wore matching shirts supporting our favorite candidate for Elkhart County Sheriff, Julie Dijkstra. Jesse walked in the parade w/Julie and we collected him at the Grandstand.

Here's Emma with her "vote for Julie smile"!

First we went to Young McDonald's Farm. Emma made a friend.

Stopped by the Goshen Noon Food Booth to say Hi to Dad & Joan. (We passed on a hug - sorry Woo Woo!)


After a bite to eat, we headed to the Grandstand.

Here's another campaign picture!

The next part was just funny. But the kind of funny that you just had to be there. We stuck it out through the rain. I haven't laughed that hard for that long in quite awhile!

Jesse may have a future in politics. Here's his best "VOTE FOR JULIE"!

Sophie was in the parade too. She won the little Sweetheart Princess for the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival.


Bought a lemon shake-up from our youth group.

And now for some rides!

Finally . . . . . .Emma gets a turn!

Time to crash!

Since I don't have time to blog . . . I thought I would post a link to one of my first blogs "The Apple". I thought it was fitting since we are again one of the prayer families this week. I just hope it's slightly different and I won't have to kill a . . . well, you'll just have to read to find out!

Have a great week !!

Who owns your child's heart?

We just attended our 3rd Battle Cry / Aquire the Fire event this past Saturday. Our youth director has been arranging yearly trips for 10 years now - Thanks Matt! (and Trish! ) It’s like a Promise Keepers or Women of Faith event only for kids, well, more for teens. But, I think the adults get just as much out of it!

Through music, speakers and drama thousands of teens heard about Christ’s life, love, and interaction with his disciples; Christ’s sacrifice and what it demands of their lives; how to maintain pure relationships (split gender specific session); how to make God’s word a lifeline for their own life; how to live their faith with conviction and love; what it really means to honor their parents.

This year they also had a separate session for parents. Very informative! Ron Luce, founder of Teen Mania Ministries, asked us questions - Are you parenting by convience? Do you have a culture dashboard for your home? Who owns your child's heart? He also talked a bit about one of his books, Re-Create. “The purpose of Re-Create is to equip parents on how to build a culture in their home so strong and defining that it pulls the hearts of the kids toward the family and keeps them safe from a culture bent on deception.”

We are extremely busy hear at the Odiorne household so, I won’t get on my soapbox yet but it’s coming . . . . . I just want to leave you with a bit of information . . .

Check out the lyrics for the song “Candy Shop“ by 50 cent. "Candy Shop" performed well in the United States, becoming 50 Cent's third number one single. When writing the song, 50 Cent stated: "I attempted to be as sexual as possible, from a male perspective, without being vulgar or obscene". When I was looking up info for this, I found that Madonna also has a song about candy - lucky us!

Just recently, a 23yr. old young man decapitated his 5yr. old sister after stabbing his 17yr. old sister to death.

The following is from Planned Parenthood's website: Abortion is a safe and legal way for women to choose to end pregnancy. There are two kinds of abortion in the U.S. — in-clinic abortion and the abortion pill. Abortions are very common. In fact, more than 1 out of 3 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old. If you are trying to decide if abortion is the right choice for you, you probably have many things to think about. Learning the facts about abortion may help you in making your decision. You may also want to learn more about parenting and adoption.

This information may not be surprising to some of you. I know that many of you support great causes that deal with these issues and more. And I thank you and greatly appreciate you!

My cause in writing this is children. Not just my children but all children. For some time, our family has been moving away from “the world” and what “the world” says we need and what “the world” says is cool and so on. I just took some time today to check in on “the world” and what we’re missing - nothing.

So, who owns your child’s heart? That’s who they will go to for advice. Whoever owns your child's heart has the most influence over them. Is it you? Is it their friends? Is it music? You can and should set limits, you can and should be taking them to church but the key is having that right relationship with them so they value and understand what you are teaching them and why.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

MEALTIME MINISTRIES . . . . spread the word!

MEALTIME MINISTRIES

A free weekly meal for unemployed and underemployed
individuals and their families in the Wa-nee community.

Every Tuesday (starting 3-10-09)
Supper will be served at 5:30pm

Location is at the:

First Presbyterian Church
(in the Family Life Center)
1155 N Main St
Nappanee, IN
773-3773

Spread the word to those that have lost their jobs or have had their hours cut. This is a great opportunity for our community to work together and help each other. You can help by donations of money and food or volunteer! There are time slots for cooking, serving and clean up. (Volunteers get to eat too!)

Matthew 25:35 "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,"

Hodge Podge

I need to blog but I haven’t got any one particular subject to blog about! So here you go . . . .

Emma’s Perfect Timing - As I am cleaning up Lily, our puppy, Derek came over. He said “I want to ask you something, . . . just tell me the truth . . . Aren’t you just a little bit regretting getting another dog?”

Before I could even answer, my sidekick (Emma) says “Get ober it . . . .” (Get over it)
We both crack up and think how did she know?? She’s 2!!

Of course our laughing encouraged her to continue to say “Get ober it Daddy! Get ober it!”
(Derek was against getting Lily. Apparently Emma picked up on this! )

God’s Perfect Timing - One of my prayer requests for this week was grace and wisdom when dealing with discipline issues - w/my kids and those I teach. Well, the woman who prayed for me added patience. I almost elbowed her! (Sorry Heidi) I normally do not pray for patience or kindness. I’ve learned that when you do God WILL give you a time in the near future to practice!! But I am thankful for the prayer because I did need lots of patience Monday and I was prepared. God knew and that’s why He prompted her to pray for me!!

Now today, I am thinking about what I can organize. At lecture today, one of the principles was that God is a God of organization. He is not a God of Chaos. We’ve been studying the book of Numbers. All I can say is Wow! He took care of EVERY detail - who went where, who did what, how to communicate - even a cloud to follow - for 2-4 million people!!!

Michelle pointed out that you see it today when you look at the sunrise and sunset each day. You see it with the seasons and in the details of the seasons. You see it in the different species - ants, birds. God is organized and if we are to be like Him, we need to be organized too! We were challenged to apply this to our own lives. What one thing could we organize this week? A messy room. A meal together. Our schedule and making sure we spend time with God on a regular basis? How we plan and prepare to serve God?

Oh and God even told Aaron how to bless the Israelites. He thinks of everything!

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace.”

NUMBERS 6:24-26

Happy Sledding, Happy Birthday and Where's my socks?

Finally, little Emma got to go sledding, well more like tubing. Cousin Darin brought a couple tubes loaded up with this new "non-choleric silicon base kitchen lubricant that's 500x’s more slippery than cooking oil". I wished I would have video taped this. (Yes, I'm old, I know there is no tape!) Anyways, Emma was giggling SO LOUD and yelled "THAT WAS FUN!!" as soon as she stopped. Thank you Jesse for helping her back up the hill!!



We also got to celebrate Grandma Stickel's birthday on Sunday! (It's very hard to get a picture where everyone is looking. Surprisingly, Jesse is actually listening and looking at me!)


And now the socks . . . Jesse came into our room this morning to let me know he had NO socks. He "turned them in" but has not gotten any back! I assured him that HE DID have socks in his drawer. But to avoid a morning clash Derek took him in and got him a pair of his to wear. Derek told me I could dump his socks out for him to look through - so I DID! He was specifically looking for the socks with a gold toe which you see in the top right hand corner. I think the top middle bunch may truly be too small but as you can see - HE DID have socks in his drawer!! Please tell me this is normal! Have they confirmed that a "temporary sock blindness" can occur in children? Because this isn't the first time.

Cheerleader or Obnoxious Fan

As I left the house Monday, I kept going over the morning’s events. Monday’s are hard - especially the Monday after Suberbowl. Every year we go to Grandma & Grandpa Stickel’s for Superbowl - a tradition they’ve hosted every year since the very first one. (Except for the one year we had to go to Aunt Carolynn & Uncle Jerry’s because it was on a channel that didn’t come in at their house.)

We (the kids and I) don’t really watch the game. It’s more of a family gathering - lots of food, cousins to play with, etc. Derek watches so we’re there till the end. That’s okay, it’s really the only pro-football game he insists on watching.

It's always nice when there’s a delay on Monday but not this week! I knew it would be a rough start! As I drove to my bible study class, I regretted the yelling I did and thought . . . . . . I started out as a cheer leader - repeating phrases to encourage the player (child) to get ready but then I turned into an obnoxious fan or at least that’s what I felt like.

When watching the different sports Jesse’s been involved in I am a big advocate of parents and fans keeping their mouths shut - unless it’s encouraging. My standard comment is “They’re all volunteers!” After running the soccer league for so long, I know how hard it is to get those volunteer coaches and refs. Obnoxious fans are a big hindrance in that task. Yes, maybe they missed something, made a wrong call, coach differently but at least they are trying and willing to help out. So before I get off this soapbox I challenge each of you - parent or fan - to only shout out encouraging words and remember that most sports, at least in our community are run by volunteers! (This does not include school sports but you still shouldn't be obnoxious!)

Back to my original thought . . . I do not want to be an obnoxious fan, shouting out not so nice things at my children. Immediately I went back to being a cheerleader. I’m sure like most little girls, I wanted to be a cheerleader and after realizing that would not be possible due to lack of coordination and other things I became an anti-cheerleader! So could this be? At age 35 I’m now a cheerleader??? Could I be totally upbeat and continue encouraging my children with happy, repetitive phrases each morning or whenever applicable?

Let’s take a minute and look at my choices so far. The definition of obnoxious is: offensive, repulsive. Some Synonyms are: annoying, awful, beastly, big mouth, detestable, disagreeable, dislikable, displeasing, foul, hateable, nauseating, pain in the neck, sickening, stinking, unpleasant. (These are just some.)

The definition of cheer is: happiness. Some synonyms are: gladness, glee, joy, buoyancy, comfort, delight, encouragement. (Again, these are just some.)

I definitely want to steer clear of being obnoxious!! But can I only be positive? Cheering only happy thoughts? Lets be realistic!! What if I take off the cheer? Then I have leader (one who guides) which is similar to the coach (one who instructs). Yes, that’s it! This I can do. I know I can and I even know how. It’s funny how God leads you on a trail of thoughts that ultimately lead you right back to Him and what He’s already taught you in His word.

He has taught me that He will help me parent my children. He has taught me what to teach my children. He has taught me where to teach my children. He reminds me that my children watch me and that I need to set an example and not be a stumbling block. He has taught me that I will make mistakes but He still loves me and will continue to show me His ways. Wow, I could go on and on and on. I am thankful that I not only have a perfect example to follow but I forever have His Help!

Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom

1 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.

I'm Ready!

As I was leaving Beulah Missionary Church today, I noticed a sign that I hadn't seen before. Right before you leave the parking lot, they have a sign that says "YOU ARE ENTERING YOUR MISSION FIELD". (Or something similar, it's been a couple hours . . .) I thought it was very clever. Isn't it amazing how we can drive by something MANY times and never see it . . .but then our eyes are opened and we SEE. I love God!

And today my mission is to not lock Emma up in the little dog cage she is in right now. As I type this, she is playing inside Lily's cage of her own free will. It's just her size. Now why would I lock up one of God's precious little children? This one in particular has been naughty. She is not taking her nap and during the 5 minutes I stopped to check Face Book, she decided to pour the dog food into the dog water and feed the dogs by hand. This is just an example of the many things she does. She is BUSY!!

It's hard to be mad though. Especially when she is going around singing half the Bible verse she learned today: "He has done, He has done" she throws in a "the wonders" every couple times. The verse is "Remember the wonders He has done" 1 Chronicles 16:12

The snow is always smoother . . .

The grass is always greener, the snow is always smoother - Isn’t that usually the case?

Last night as I was going out for the last potty break, I glanced at our neighbor’s yard. It was absolutely breath taking. Perfectly blanketed with fresh fallen snow, curving up and down - wherever the wind let each flake rest. There was no trace of activity. My one word description would have to be “peaceful“. I was so captured by this display of beauty.

I’ve had the song “God of Wonders” going through my head this week. Here’s the chorus - God of wonders beyond our Galaxy - You are holy, holy - the universe declares your majesty - you are holy, holy”. Well, last night, My neighbors yard in little, Nappanee, Indiana declared His majesty! I’m sure it still does this morning but I am avoiding going out until absolutely necessary!

My neighbors yard is much more peaceful than ours. One word for our yard would have to be "busy". There are big tracks, little tracks, toys, furniture that never got put away, pumpkins and pretty soon there will be one decaying Frasier Fur. (I think we may have missed the Christmas tree pick up.)

Our neighbors are in a different season of their life. The have no pets and their children are grown. We have 2 children and 2 pets that venture outside. And as I felt envious of their yard, I had to wonder if they are ever envious of ours? I guess both yards display God’s majesty. One is His beauty in nature and the other is overwhelming evidence of His most loved creation!

I know, I know, envy is wrong and I shouldn't be coveting. So let's say I REALLY enjoy my neighbor's yard and I can't wait until I have a peaceful yard. At least that's what I think now. I'm sure when I do, there will be times when I want my "busy" yard back. After all, the grass is always greener and the snow is always smoother . . . . .

Missing that Gilson

I remember a couple winters ago there was no snow. Jesse's birthday is on Dec. 9th. We had some snow right around then but by Christmas we were done. Our friends bought their kids some sleds for Christmas and they never got to use them.

That's NOT the case this year! I'm glad Jesse still likes to play outside in it. He's more into building forts and battle scenes. I actually shoveled part of his fort today. He didn't pick the best place to play the other day.

Before the tornado, we had a snow blower. Unfortunately, it did not survive. It was in the shed. For insurance reasons, I had to find out more about this inherited Gilson snow blower of ours. I found out it was really old. So old they stopped making them a LONG time ago! My first clue was when I found a website with phrases on it that said things like - "The place where the Gilson snow blower legacy lives" and "report a Gilson sighting."

We complained about this snow blower. Sometimes, it seemed as though we only made as much progress as Mr. Oblivious here:



But our Gilson was better than what we have now:
(The shovel is what I meant - the 12 yr. old isn't bad but needs an awful lot of "encouraging")

Yeah, yeah, I know we got about $30 from insurance to go towards a new snow blower but who buys a snow blower in the summer? I'm sure we put that money towards fireworks or something.

Most Embarrassing Moment of 2009

Well, here it is. My most embarrassing moment of 2009 - so far that is. I think it tops a similar moment in 2008 . I’ll tell about both and you can be the judge!

After the tornado, we rented a house on Hartman Street that had a fenced in yard. This was a perk because 2 weeks before the tornado we (Jesse, Emma, Mom Ho and I - not Derek) got Jesse a puppy. This is what you get when you cross a Black Lab and a Wheaton Terrier.


Her mom was a Black Lab and her dad was a Wheaton Terrier. (Pictures are not of actual parents.)



And as I was saying, temporarily, we had a fenced in yard. It has it’s drawbacks and perks. Drawbacks - it’s easy to be lazy and just stick them out with out really training them, you forget you stuck them outside and inevitably they’ve dug up something, it started to rain and you didn’t notice, etc. Perks - it’s easy to stick them outside!!

So this past Spring, we moved back to Blackstone which meant no more fence. Now we had to take her out on the leash for many reasons. She listens good but LOVES everyone!! She wants to smother every person or animal she see’s. You’d think this would be great but she’s too big to do this. She’s not the timid little puppy she was the day I picked her up. And inevitably, many times her affections end up hurting or scaring someone. She just doesn’t have any self control when she see’s another person or animal so that is the main reason for the leash.

Did I mention how STRONG this dog is? She has destroyed cages, actually broke a tooth by doing this. She can destroy all those “invincible” dog toys and chews. She can pull a grown adult flat on their side - which is what she did to me in last year. I let her out. As we were walking around the back to come in, one of the Embarq guys said something to me. So I half turned to answer. As soon as Sally saw him, she took off and literally pulled me flat on my side and drug me in the wet cold grass. I’m not a toothpick either. I’m sure that guy wanted to laugh so hard but instead he managed to say “Are you ok with a smile?” - Bless his heart!

So you can imagine that my embarrassing moment so far this year probably has to do with Sally May. Yes, this dog has embarrassed me once again! We decided (Emma, my dad & Joan, Jesse and I - not Derek) to get a puppy. This one is mine - Lily Lou - a Sheltie.


She’s opposite of Sally. She’s way more timid and barky when she see’s people. During the day, since Jesse is as school, I let Sally out. This is our routine: Sally waits while I take Lily out on a leash to pee and check to make sure no people or dogs are out. Then, we come back and let Sally out. She goes out to her spot, does her business and runs back in. (She is fine without a leash - as long as there are no surprises.) Then, I take Lily back out if she has to finish. It seems to get quicker and easier each week. Except for today . .

Today, I was following the routine but Sally did not wait and bust out the door. And of course, the neighbor dog , U-kee, was out. U-kee is a little powder puff - a Bichon Frise. (Picture is not of actual neighbor dog.)


And they also got a little puppy this week. Sally had not met this little cotton ball but I know she figured it out! Mu-kee is about ¼ the size of U-kee. They are both much to small to play with Sally, although U-kee wants to.

So, I immediately start running over there through the snow with Lily on her leash. I finally get there which seems like forever and Sally has scared this poor puppy to death! She didn’t attack it or anything. She just hasn’t mastered a gentle touch approach yet. I’m trying to grab her collar, as I hold on to Lily and continually apologize to Becky! I get her and then we hit the patio that is now buried under the fresh snow. The slick patio. Yes, I’ve fallen again !! There’s snow flying everywhere. Becky makes a comment that this should be on Funniest Home Videos. Probably. Finally, I drag Sally home and take a moment to re-group. I get mad but then gain control because I couldn’t dare let my husband think that I thought for a moment that maybe the dogs were not a good idea!

So here you go Rocki, maybe this will take the laughs off you for just a moment. Although, I think your post is much funnier!! I've read it a couple times today. I just can't stop laughing!!

Benefit Spaghetti Dinner for Keri

This just in and hot off the press:

There will be a benefit dinner for Keri Rohr

Saturday, January 24th
4-7pm
Raymond’s Restaurant, Wakarusa
Eat in or Carry Out

Ticket prices: Adult - $6, Children (10 & under) - $4
** tickets available at Raymond’s (574)-862-4140**

(Proceeds will go to Keri and her family)

For those of you who don't know Keri, here's a bit of her story:

Keri is the 9 year old daughter of Don and Tonya Rohr from Nappanee, IN. A couple of weeks ago Keri went to the eye doctor after experiencing ongoing headaches and periods of blurred vision. As the eye doctor examined Keri, he saw some things that concerned him and wanted Keri to see a neurologist. Results of an MRI showed that Keri had a tumor at the base of the back of her head near her spinal cord.Most of the tumor was able to be removed however, the tumor was malignant (meddulablastoma) and Keri will require ongoing treatment of chemo and radiation.

You can learn more about Keri by visiting:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kerirohr

The family appreciates the prayers and notes of encouragement! It's so wonderful to see our communities support them!!

Funny Pictures, Updates and Random Thoughts

Let's start with an attention getter! Derek's Mom and Bob are done with inside pets, at least that's what they say. I think Derek gave them their last pet, Kee Kee #2, as he left for college. Ha! Ha! Now, they just have their outside wildlife sanctuary. I think Bob said that Dee Ann feeds these deer every day. She also keeps up with the bird/squirrel feeders as well. As you can see, these deer brought some friends over for Christmas dinner. Well, I guess you can't see them all but there were about 12 in the yard.


As the kids were watching, Bob pointed out what a great picture that was. Thanks Bob! (He took our Christmas Card picture too. Maybe he should make a career change??) Anyways, I'm only half paying attention to the conversation. "Look at that one!" "Look at his feet " They continued to talk about this deer. I was keeping a look out for the deer that was missing one leg. I always feel bad for that one. So I missed this deer with the funny feet that caught everyone's attention. Derek pointed out that it was in the picture I took. So here's a closer look.


I've never seen anything like it! Oh and Dee Ann is accepting donations of whatever you feed deer - corn, ?


I guess I did write down the date of my Debbie Myers Green Bag experiment. First pic was on 12-15. Second is 12-25. So they may give your produce a couple more days. Not that I would eat the 12-25 banana's. Well, maybe made into some bread. The sad and funny thing is that I just threw them out today 1-7. Just imagine what they looked like today. I have to say, the banana left out was just dark but the two in the bag were moldy. That's interesting. So if your letting banana's go for bread, just leave them out. Don't use the bag!!

I had to wonder today if Emma or I needed the potty training. Let me explain. I had hoped after a night with the girls that Emma would want to potty train. Well, it worked and she's been doing pretty good. Yesterday morning, she had a chance to use one of those little toilets before she went to her class. I didn't quite have her on the seat right and the pee went all down her leg and on the floor. So we had to quickly change outfits before she went in. Poor thing!

Let's see, oh yes - vehicle updates. Derek has his car fixed for the most part - yeah! The van is next - boo! Which means I'm soon to be home bound. No, really, it's okay!


I think that's all for now. I'll end with this thought - how can people raise children w/out God's help? I'm thankful I don't have to. I think I'd go nuts or be in really big trouble right now!!

Knowing God

I just wanted to share a bit about my lesson today. Today is Monday so my goal is to come home after the Bible Study Class I attend and prepare to lead those little ones on Tuesday. Part of that includes reading notes over the passages we have been studying the past week. Then tomorrow, after leading, I'll get to hear a wonderful, Spirit filled lecture over the same passages. So if I don't get it the first or second time there's still another chance!

We've been studying Moses. And in this section, Moses wants to know God.

"If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." Exodus 33:13

This is after Moses was on the mountain with God for 4o Days. Our little ant brains would think you might know someone pretty well, especially after being with them for 40 days non-stop at one time. And this was just one of the times Moses was with God.

Where am I going with this? Well, the notes talk a bit about knowing God. What does it mean to know God? It may mean simple awareness of a mere fact like knowing where someone lives. Another knowing is knowing about someone or some thing like describing a city or the latest scoop on a celebrity. And there's knowledge by experience. Maybe you lived in that city or knew that individual. But there's more. The notes direct us to this description - knowledge by which one is changed. Knowledge by which one is changed.

The notes also use a quote from a book by J.I. Packer. The book is called Knowing God. I actually bought this book awhile back after our Pastor had talked about it one Sunday. I may even still have it. Unfortunately, I never got through it. Here's the quote:

"Knowing God involves, first, listening to God's word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it, in application to oneself; second, noting God's nature and character, as His word and works reveal it; third, accepting His invitations, and doing what He commands; fourth, recognizing, and rejoicing in, the love that He has shown in thus approaching one and drawing one into this divine fellowship."

If we say we are Christians, we should always strive to "know God". I need to be praying "Teach me your ways O Lord so I may know you better."

Especially after the reminder this past week from Pastor Jim Cymbala's quote: "We are always either drawing nearer to God or falling away. There is no holding pattern."

New Year's Resolutions and Summary of Chapter 10

I don’t really do resolutions. I don’t know that in the past I’ve ever been successful in carrying them out for more than a week or so. Last night I thought if I did do a resolution this year it would be to not plan on getting anything accomplished over Christmas Break. You should see the list I thought I could get done. But with all the go, go, go, Christmas, New Year’s, getting over all the colds/flu bugs that we caught from the go, go, go, - there’s no time to get anything else done!! Then I feel defeated. So, next year I am not planning on any other projects during break and that carries over to Spring Break as well!! Hopefully I’ll be more productive during the summer break.

So here I am, Saturday morning before break is over looking at my pile deciding what to do first. As I make the bed I tell myself how everything will be okay Monday. I’ll be back in Moses, focused, accountable, etc. But first I need to get my Sunday School lesson done. I find my spot, start w/prayer and begin to read with my coffee in hand. WOW!

My friend, Rocki, has been posting a bit about our Sunday School class and her own personal journey. It’s a small Sunday School class. Very small. Not bad small like a little church small. It’s just Rocki, Derek and I small. We had all previously read a book called Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. And after prayer, we agreed to read it again together. Plus, this time around it has a study guide in the back.

The first time I read this book I was amazed at the power of prayer and convicted with my lack of it. This time around we have been made aware of our lack of expectant prayer. Wow! That’s really all I can say. I think I’m still in awe from last week.

So here I am, reading chapter 10 and I start to underline. I do it again and again. It appears to be a pretty good list of New Year’s Resolutions. How does HE do that???

In this chapter, Pastor Cymbala talks about cleaning house. He uses King Asa as an example. King Asa was Solomon’s great-grandson. Asa managed to “do good and right in the eyes of the LORD” even though his forefather’s had wandered from the Lord, letting idol worship run rapid as well as many other detestable things. But King Asa cleaned house, getting rid of the idols and brought the people back to the Lord, commanding them to obey His laws and commands. (2Chronicles)

Here are some things I underlined in his book:

“Rationalizing has to cease. We have to start seeing the sinful debris we hadn’t noticed before, which is what holds back the blessing of God.”

Let me write that again - Rationalizing has to cease. I am guilty as charged. How many times do I do something thinking or saying “I know this is wrong but . . . .”

“Anytime people get hungry to truly know the Lord, the Holy Spirit quickly puts a shovel and broom into their hands. Husbands and wives begin to deal with long-buried issues hurting their marriages. Adults take a closer look at their choice of TV programs and movies. Church members begin to see the damage wreaked by their gossip, their racial attitudes, their criticism.”

Pastor Cymbala then touches again on gossip and slander. Charging new members that if they ever hear another member speak an unkind word of criticism or slander against anyone to point it out. They’ll pray together so God can restore peace to the body. In his eyes, this is what most easily destroys a church.

“Rather, it is gossip and slander that grieves the Holy Spirit.”

“ . . . . . the general concern to live with clean hearts and clean speech before the Lord prevents many problems from ever getting started.”

Sometimes we make things so hard but when we do things His way it is so much easier and the Lord does prevent many problems from ever getting started! I’m thankful for this reminder today and the fact that I don’t have to wait until Monday for everything to be okay as was my thinking earlier today. And on that note, I’m thankful that w/God, we don’t really need to wait till New Year’s to start fresh!!

Here are some more of Pastor Cymbala’s thoughts:

He explains how seeking the Lord can be a challenge. Just because you’re on the right path does not keep you immune from problems. But . . . “In such a moment, seekers after God have built up a reservoir of ready faith to meet new problems.”

“When we seek God, He will bless us. But when we stop seeking Him . . . All bets are off, no matter who we are.”

Unfortunately, this happened to King Asa. Unfortunately this happens to many.

“The more we seek God, the more we see our need to seek Him.”

This is a good one: "We are always either drawing nearer to God or falling away. There is no holding pattern.”

“ . . . .who will totally and passionately seek Him, who is determined that every thought and action will be pleasing in His sight.”

“When we align ourselves with the channel of God’s living grace, all kinds of marvelous things take place. His power energizes us to face ______________ . . . . .” (You fill in the blank)

One more quote but then you’re just going to have to read the book for yourself!

“People who have a seeking heart still make mistakes. But their reaction to rebuke and correction shows the condition of that heart. It determines what God is able to do with them in the future.”

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

PROVERBS 3:5-6

New Year's Eve

Every New Year's Eve, we stay home. About 4 years ago the girls have been joining us. Emma Derek and I love it! (Get over it Jesse!!) I think we all have a lot of fun, even Jesse but he won't ever admit it! Mom Ho (my mom) comes over too. It depends on the crazy level on how long she stays.

This year we pretty much played Wii the whole time - 2pm-midnight!!!!

Here's Landry and Jesse. Let the fighting begin! No matter how long they've been getting along, Jesse reverts and does not have a nice bone in his body towards Landry on New Year's Eve. Poor Landry :-( I think it's because she stole his thunder. He had the grandparents all alone for 5 years. He just hasn't been able to let it go!

I had been saving the Creative Kids cookie dough from the school fundraiser. We also played with play dough at the same time but were careful not to confuse the two!

So I hear, "Emma, I have to go to the bathroom do you want to come with me?" I was hoping this would happen and that the whole going in the potty would rub off on Emma. After a while, I checked in to find this:

This Sassy lady is Mom Ho's Wii Mii. She really got into the bowling but couldn't beat Derek #1. Sophie is #3 and Landry is #4.

So here I guess Derek must have done something good and Landry is in her own world.


And here they are with their cups of sparkling grape juice at midnight followed by the Amish Acres fireworks. The flash is just my camera but there were fireworks and they were pretty cool this year!

That's it. We'll be resting the rest of the week/weekend!! I apologize in advance for the teachers who get these children on Monday!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

As you can see, I've posted nothing yet from Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We are blessed with a BIG family and MANY places to go, people to see. It doesn't always seem like a blessing but a curse!! I tried to figure out how to best share and as I put this movie together, I realized (with tears in my eyes) that our family is a blessing!! Thank you!!

The song playing is the version Derek, Angie and I performed at our Christmas Eve Service. (Barlow Girl) I can't even begin to describe how awesome it was. We enjoyed practicing together in preparation to offer our gift to Christ. This was actually something the three of us did FULL-hearted and were truly blessed in return!

Enjoy our Christmas hi-lights!!