favorite memory of me Tag your It.

I love games! Here are the instructions to a game I came across. I would love if you would play along.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew/know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Let the games begin!

WFW 7*30*08

Thirsty for More of the Word
in "Pictures" Visit 160 acre woods

The Bell

Christian Collage

I found this website from a blog I follow wordle It is neat. You can let it create off the words from your website or blog, Or put in random words. I wanted to create a Christian on only, so I put in a bunch of words and created my own.

Be Still Sunday

Receive His Favor

I want to express a BIG Thanks to the Big Guy for his Favor again. For some reason it is taking me a little bit longer to grasp the concept of God's Favor. When things happen my first reaction is "Fleshly" saying "Lucky" or "Meant to be" things like that. Then the good Lord pops me in the back of the head for a reminder of Who's in control of all things....... Hello?


Wednesday evening my sis-in-law called to tell me that her church's Mens Ministry would be paying the fees for Chris to go to the Men's Retreat in 2 weeks. My first reaction is "they aren't doing this just for him, right? They are doing it for all the men, cause I don't want them to do it just for Chris." Of course not they are paying for all the men going with our church, she assured me...... Then came that Pop on the noggin...... Shut up Amy this is the favor of the Lord, Quit it, This is His favor....... Stop denying yourself the Favor of the Lord...... I have a really bad habit of this.


So when I got this today I was just blown away.

Apparently I have impressed at least one person whom reads my blog. Thanks so much Kim from Seasons of my Heart

So here are the Rules:

Your “official instructions” follow. Now go forth and share the love! To the recipients of the award...pick five blogs you consider deserving of this award, whether for creativity, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogging community, no matter what language. Name each nominee and link to his/her blog. Show the award and include the name (and link to his/her blog) of whoever presented you with this award.Link to the Arte y Pico blog so everyone knows the origin of this award. Post these rules.

Now here is the hard part because I have been blessed by so many ladies....... Please do not take offense if you are not listed here. I love all the blogs I visit regularly.

Lori has blessed me: All You Have to Give

Tonya has blessed me: Safe in His Arms

Sheryl has blessed me: The Perch

Heather has blessed me: Faithful Froggers

Susan has blessed me: Forever His

All the blogs on my sidebar really deserve an award but I was asked to only give to a selected few.

Did you dress yourself dear?

Sorry this isn't the best quality of picture. It was taken with a cell phone. Lauren has been helping out with watching the boys some this summer to save on money. Today I had to make arrangements for them for a couple of hours because her cheer leading practice was rescheduled for today from 10-12 pm. I ran home to pick them up to take them to the sitters and as I drove up they came running out to the car. Lane had his black cowboy belt in one hand and the other was holding up his shorts so they wouldn't fall to his ankles. I got out of the car and he asked right away for me to put this on, shoving the belt in my face. I asked if he got dressed on his own and He said, "Yeah mom". So I did what all good moms do, I told him how proud I was of him dressing himself.
As I was putting his belt on, knelt down beside him, I couldn't help but notice the red fuzzy socks of mine he had on inside his rubber boots. Oh just to top off the outfit of Red fuzzy socks, Camo rubber boots, Plaid shorts with cowboy belt, The USM shirt he has on is on backwards. And the "do" is left over from last night at about 8 when he wanted his hair spiked up.
Not sure if this is a boy thing or a 5 year old thing.
Got to love it.

About Family Prayer Time

I have gone through quite a few spiritual changes the last couple of years. Right now I am being convicted right and left over things in my life and my family. One of them I have been dealing with lately is that we do not have prayer or bible study time as a family. I didn't grow up in a home that did this and I have never done this with my kids. The Lord has dealt with me on this. My kids have learned most of what they know about God and Jesus from Church. It is not the churches responsibility, it is mine and my husbands. This is one major issuse that I feel quilt over. I have alot of years to make up for but I am ready to do so.
Where to start is the question?
I have 4 kids, all different ages. B-16, G-14, B-9, and B-5. How do I cover all of the needs?
How long do we meet for?
How often, daily or weekly?
What topics to study and do I prepare a lesson or something?
This will be a learning process for us all. I have been desiring to do this for a while. I mentioned it to DH at the counselors office a few weeks ago but I did not get any response from him. I hadn't shared it with the kids yet but when Dustin and Lauren came home from camp wanting to have study and prayer time at home I thought Okay this is the right time.
I would love some Godly wisdom on this issue please. It is important to me and the enemy has already been throwing the excuse at me.

Joshua 24:15 " But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

WFW 7*23*08

Thirsty for More of the Word

in "Pictures" Visit 160 acre woods

Giving of Word

I would like to share some of the scriptures given to me in the last couple days.

Hebrews 4:16 -"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Mark 9:23 -"If you can? said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Oh I can Jesus because you are my strength and refuge in this time of need and I believe your truths. This will draw me close to you and my faith will be strengthen.

John 14:13-14 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Lord Change me, mold me into a new creation in you. Thank you for changing the desires of my heart to Godly things. Help me Lord to stay focused on you and the Truth.

Lord I am Broken before you right now...... Lord revival me and my church, give us the burning desires for our One and Only Lord. Raise us up to do mighty things For Your Glory!.
Thank you Lord for yet another breathe given day from you! ~ I love you, My Sweet Jesus.

are you broken?

I picked up Dustin and Lauren about 2:30 on Friday from the church after they arrived home from church camp. On our ride home I could already tell of the work the Lord did at camp. I had to drop them off at the house and go back to work. I was excited to get off work and get home to hear all the stories they had. It was awesome. The Lord did a wondrous work all week long with almost 1000 kids. There were close to 20 churches and our church brought close to 100 teens. From our church there were 11 that excepted Christ as their personal Savior and 8 that Surrendered their lives to Ministry. My kids were both moved and convicted.

Friday after work we spent a few hours just talking and crying and laughing. We all sat and studied the bible together. It felt so great. This is something that I have been wanting to do and we all made a pack to do this together. I was in awe over the work that was done in Dustin's heart. He was so sincere.

Sunday morning at church, we watched a video of the pictures from camp and the youth/counselors got up and gave testimonies. I cried like a baby through out the entire service. The testimonies were so moving, to hear how the Lord worked in some of those kids lives.

We only had a short devotion for services afterwards. It was over 1 Samuel 15. "What is there in your life that you need to kill, that needs to die?" God wants "all" of us not just part of us. We need to give him whatever we are holding on to that is hindering our live with The Lord. It is time for us all to stand up, give him what is holding us back and give our lives to him.

During the alter call I was the first one to the alter. I was broken. I just cried and poured my heart out to him. I was sobbing in front of my Lord, because he broke me down today. There is some habitual sins in my life that I have yet to give to him even though he has been working on me about them for a while now. I laid it down at his feet and begged for his mercy on it.

I have had this apart of my life for 22 years and just this week I prayed for the first time for the Lord to take away the desire. I have been praying about it this week but I gave it to the Lord at his alter Sunday Morning. It is going to be hard and the devil will make it really difficult but this is something that I not only need to repent of the sin of it but also for my health and my family.

We have been praying for revival at our church and I think we saw the beginnings of it. Men, women and kids all broken. We were in church for an hour past what we usually are. But no one seemed to care. It was so awesome.

Our pastor is ill right now. Please pray for his health. It is serious and they (the Drs) aren't quite sure what the cause is. So at the end of the service we all held hand and prayed for him and we were also asked to Fast for him today. He has been at our Church for over 20 years.


All day I have just been on high for Jesus. It has been a long time since I felt this way.

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from Camp.

Be Still Sunday

Randomness

I just have some random things to post today.
My 2 oldest kiddos are coming home from Youth Church Camp today. I have missed them this week. I know that they had a good time, but I prayed all week for their relationship with the Lord. I am sure that one if not both will come home with some emotions stirring and on "fire" for God. Last year it was Dustin this year maybe both. Stories and hopefully pictures to come next week.
Chris and I will have a evening out with no children tomorrow. It has been a while since we have gone anywhere, besides out to eat together, without kids. Looking forward to it.

I have been trying hard this week to listen to my praise music as often as possible and I have also been diving in to my quiet time basket that I won. I have been reading the Women of the Bible book and I tell you, I am really excited to learn about the 52 women it covers.

I also just got in the marriage devotional that I ordered for Chris and I to read together in the mornings. Moments with You: Daily Connections for Couples by Dennis Rainey, Barbara Rainey

We are doing much better with our marriage and can see the Lord doing a mighty work in it daily. Praise God.

Whatch you doing?

okay I just had to post this. I am texting my husband this morning. I like our little text conversations. Anyway here it goes.

DH: Whatcha doing baby?
Me: Sorry just now got your text, I am working. Listening to my praise music clearing some junk out of my mind.
DH: Ok cool. hope its not me.
ME: you know how the devil puts junk and lies in your head? well if I listen to praise music it is all good stuff going in and makes me feel good too.
DH: Ya I here ya, he can't hang with that can he?
ME: No he can't it really ticks him off too.....
DH: I know same way as when you witness to someone.
ME: OH YEAH! how bout you what are you doing today to praise God and tick off the devil?
DH: I am doing my best to not get Pissed off LOL
ME: Is it working baby? I will pray for you while I am on High and not ticked off myself.
DH: I'm not mad and don't have a reason to be but you know it could happen.. LOL
ME: Quick too.
DH: Right!


SO my question is what are you doing today to give your Almighty God the praise he deserves and to "tick off" the devil?

James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

WFW 7*16*08

Thirsty for More of the Word in
"Pictures" Visit 160 acre woods

Wait for the Lord

Letter To My Child

Dear Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5) and I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16) and it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1) simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11) for I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11) because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18) and I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40) because you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41) and I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). It is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1"3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4) and I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31) and to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23) and nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39). Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is will you be my child (John 1:12-13)? I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32).


Love, Your Father,
Almighty God

Be Still Sunday

Prepared for my time with Him

Last Month I enter a contest over at the Internet Cafe for all of this:

A Basket Filled to the BRIM, you might say overflowing,with all you need for your own "Quiet Time" with the Lord.
The "Time with the Lord" basket includes:
Women of the Bible Devotional by Ann Spangler
Mocha with Max by Max Lucado
Fruit of the Spirit pamphlet by Rose Publishing
Handmade Journal for your quiet time thoughts
Beaded Silver Cross Bookmark
Pomegranate candle to help set a 'quiet mood'
assorted Scripture Cards and 9 "Forever Postage Stamps"(to send to those you pray for during quiet time)
3 handmade silhouette cards for sending or framing
4 colored pencils for highlighting
Clear Tumbler with single packets of lemonade and raspberry lemonade mixes for a quiet time refreshment and 2 Caribou Coffee bars
Jumbo Sticky Notes, a Believe Magnet for inspiration and a silk flower to bring serenity to your space.

I, like most women, love to get some goodies for Free. So with that in mind I entered it and can you believe I won. I got an email last weekend telling me I had won this basket full of goodies. I have to say I was so excited I about wet my pants. Ok not so much that but I was so elated that I felt like a little kid at Christmas.

Yesterday I got the big box and as I was unpacking it I just kept say "God, You are so good to me, Thank you Lord."

Yes this did come as a result from winning a contest from one of the best sites on the Internet but it is a gift from the Lord. He has been calling me to morning quiet time with him. Our time together is usually in the evening because of my schedule. He has been nudging me for a long time to have fellowship with Him first thing in the morning. I see this gift from the Cafe as a supply from the Lord to make my space ready to meet with him. He has prepared the space for us to meet, now all that is missing is Me.

I am so ready to dig in to the word and meet with him now. Thanks to Lori M. and Amy B. over at The Cafe for all your thought, time and money that went to this Sweet basket. But a very Special Thank you to my Lord, You are so sweet and patient with me. Thank you for this reminder of how you are ready and waiting on me to share my time with you.

Stand firm the Battle isn't yours.

One of my favorite bible teachers is Beth Moore and I love to watch her on Life Today. As I was watching last night I really got a word from her. Her lesson was tittled "What to do when you don't know what to do?" Hello that is so for me. So I really tuned it to what she was saying. She was reading from 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "


My goodness I am so fleshly that I try to take on my battles by myself all the time. Of course I fail miserable.
She also shared:
When we're in a fierce Battle, we are going to have to:
1. Bring our complaint before God
2. Gather a group for support Prayer
3. Cease complaining and Start Praising

There is Power in Praise. Praise is a weapon in our warfare.
The more we make our complaint to "people" and the more we talk defeat the more we are convinced of defeat.
I have a huge battle with this alone. I am a people person and I love to talk. I have a problem with telling too many people my problems. I run to them for advice, direction, encouragement, etc. And long after that is when I share my heart with the Lord. I have it all backwards so to speak. I am to bring it to him first, lay it at his feet and be done with it.
Bring my complaints, problems, burdens, hurts, fears, worries, etc to him. Stand firm in my battle, while he is fighting it for me, and give him all the praise for it.

Beth also shared this that really hit me, "We are going to Most Believe, What we Most Rehearse."
Faith comes by hearing, you are keeping the battle for yourself, not realizing the battle is the LORD'S.
Quit Rehearsing Disaster!

Oh I am so guilty of this.
Instead of continuing to talk about the issues with others, after I have talked to the Father about it, start then by giving him the praise for it's outcome.
Now I may not like what the out come is but the bible says it is for our good. He will not forsake us.
Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

This is something that I will have to bring to him in Prayer daily. For I am weak but he is strong. I can't do it all on my own but through Him I can. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

"Father help me to realize that it is your battle, not mine. Teach me to come to you in everything and to stop complaining to others about my problems. Lord, show me some Godly, trustworthy people in my life that I can go to for support Prayer. But not to get caught up in rehearsing my defeat with them. Give me daily reminders of your grace and thank you for your mercies everyday." Amen

WFW 7*9*08

Thirsty for More of the
Word in "Pictures" Visit 160 acre woods

July 4th Fun

R & R in the Texas Sun

I am so glad the 4th is finally here. We are spending it with family on the river at our camp. Food, Fun, Fellowship, Fireworks, Swimming and the hot Texas sun. We are gearing up to go down there in the morning, well Lauren and I are anyway. The guys are going this evening. Camping in the tent tonight. I like to camp but in a trailer with air. The camp isn't to far from home so Lauren and I will go first thing in the morning. It has been a few years since we were all down there for the 4th and quite frankly I need the R & R. Praying all of my blogging buddies have a blessed holiday. Hope to share some stories or at least some pictures soon of our holiday fun.

quit calling me, Please

So in order to save a bit of money this summer, I have been letting the boys stay home with Dustin and Lauren when possible. I am beginning to wonder Just how worth it , It is? Don't get me wrong it is nice to go home at lunch and see all of my kiddos for a moment, but the nagging tattle tail phone calls are getting on my nerves. I am at work, what do you want me to do?
So this morning before 9am when Lauren called to tell me to tell Wes to keep his hands to his self, I went to drastic measures. Of course I told him that if he laid one more hand on his little brother, that has behavior issues to start with, He was grounded for a month to his room. Only coming out to eat, bathe, and pee. OK so that is a little far fetched but I had to let him know that I mean business. (over the phone, that is hard to do) So Lauren gets back on the phone......
Please occupy Lane some today so that he is not aggravating Wes, I tell her. And quit calling me with these issues I can't do anything about while I am at work. Then she asked what should I do if they start fighting. As any great mom would say...... Well let them go at it and don't call me back unless you see Blood!

Hum that might not have been the best thing to tell her.
They are going to the babysitter tomorrow so that will give them a break from being home.
OK just had to vent for a bit.