Thankful Thursday

It is Thankful Thursday again...wow, where did this past week go. Join Lori at Lori's Reflections for many more thankfuls today.

I am thankful today that God takes the ugliest part of our lives and uses them for His good. When we are willing to submit to His plans...there is no limit to what God can do with our lives.

I would have never imagined that God could take my previous marriage, divorce and single parenting for 4 years and use it for His good. But, that is what is happening.

First, God led me to blogging about my life, struggles, pain, losses, victories...ALL THROUGH THE STORMS OF LIFE...MY LIFE. I believe that by me being willing and obedient to His leading...I have helped someone who was going through a rough time and they just needed to know that they weren't alone.

Now, God has laid it on a precious lady's heart at church to begin a Single Parents ministry. Roger and I have been approach, asked and accepted a position on the Advisory Board of this ministry. We will be helping, guiding, encouraging, mentoring and assisting the single parents of our church.

If Roger and I had neither one been married, divorced and single parents...God wouldn't be able to use us in the capacity. I can't being to thank Him enough for taking my painful mistakes, hurts and flaws...then, using them to honor Him.

Psalm 1:3
They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. (Message)

Jeremiah 29:11
I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for (Message)

Psalm 90:17
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. (NAS)

Isaiah 43:18-19
"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. (19) Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. (Message)

I am so thankful for my painful past and my future of being a blessing to others because of my past.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

4 Days Late But I Wanted To Play

Kim at Homesteaders Heart hosted a new meme this past Saturday called Show and Tell Saturday with a new theme each week from something in your home. I missed out but was reading it this morning and I wanted to play anyway...even though, I'm late. I will try to do better this week. This could be fun.

The theme was antiques...I have a number of pieces that I have either inherited , some that my dad inherited and refinished or I bought and refinished. I love antiques...mine are not all functional but beautiful to look at.

I am showing my two favorite pieces. The first one is my grandmother's antique radio and record player. It worked when I was a kids but the wires have dry rotted and it just looks pretty now.

My second one is my great-aunt's hall tree that sits in my foyer. I love this massive old piece.

Hope you enjoyed my show and tell...even, though, I'm late :-)

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~What I Learned This Week~

Jo-Lynne at Mushings of a Housewife has started this fun new meme. I found it at Kim's site of Homesteaders Heart and decided to check it out. Looks like fun to me.

Things I Learned This Week Carnival is getting it's launch day today and already appears to be a big hit.

Here’s the deal. Just write a post about what you’ve been learning over the past week or so. It can be one sentence. It can be several paragraphs. It can be serious. It can be silly. It can be thoughtful. It can be sweet and sentimental. It can be sarcastic. It can be profound. It can be ANYTHING that you learned that is of a family friendly nature, ahem. In your post, please include a text link back to this post. Feel free to use the button as well, but that’s optional.

What I've Learned This Week:

I've learned that living in Arkansas you don't need to pack away your summer, spring or fall clothes just because it is now winter. I could have wore shorts on Friday, wore just long sleeves and now, I'm bundled up because it is so cold. Last week it was in the 20's, Friday it was nearly 60, this week it has been in the 40's and today...we are at home, school cancelled with "some" ice and snow with temps below freezing all day. Here are a few pictures of what we woke up to this morning. You have to remember this is Northeast Arkansas...we get very little snow...so, only a few flakes...we get excited! LOL!



I realized that my son, Tyler (my little man) is developing a very nice little body...nice muscles that are sculpted and cut, he is getting very strong and becoming a young man. He has been working the past 2 years lifting in football but it wasn't until November of this year that he moved up to the high school off season football weightlifting that he has really began to develop a great, muscular body. He is only 14 years old...he has grown about 5 inches over the past year, taller than me and very lean. I look at him and say..."wow"....that is my baby!

I can cook healthy and it taste good! I have developed a new found love for cooking. I had grown to dislike it because it was always the same old thing and we ate out a lot or ate junk food...which means...we gained weight. We are eating, cooking and shopping for the healthiest way of eating with a recipe book of awesome, tasty recipes. I will be posting a new recipe each week of healthy...low fat, low calorie and high in fiber meals.

I have learned that having been a single parent for 4 years would actually become a ministry at our church. Roger and I were asked to be on the Advisory Board of our new ministry...Single Parenting. Who would have thought that God has found yet another way to use my divorce, Roger's divorce and several others in our church to help to reach out to, mentor and provide support for single parents in our church. I am honored.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Ten Things I Love~

Debra at Clothed in Scarlet was doing a "Ten Things I Love" meme and I volunteered to play along.

She gave me the letter "M". Here goes...

I love...

1. Mansions on streets of gold...oh, I meant....MY MANSION
2. Mason~grandson
3. Meatballs...see my recipe!
4. Marion
5. Mountaineer camper
6. Maltese dog~Biscuit
7. Mountain Dew
8. Margarita's~favorite Mexican resturant
9. Malibu~my sweet '08 beautiful car
10. Mom~my mom and being a mom...I have to put this one too...MY children...all of them.

So there you go. Ten things I love that begin with the letter "M". If you want to participate, just leave me a message and I will give you a letter to use.

Come join in the fun...let's see what you've got :-)

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Yum, Yum Recipe Time~

I said last week that I wanted to share a new healthy recipe each week but I had intended to do this on Sundays but might not workout that way. Oh, well...whatever day of the week that I can squeeze time in to post one I will....ok?

Todays wonderful recipe is from a cookbook that I bought years ago when we went on the dirty word thing...you know....shhhhh....diet. The name of the cookbook is Natoma's Low Fat Home Style Cooking. It has some yummy ones in it also.

Here's this week's recipe for you ladies~ hope try it and let me know...a lot like Chicken Spaghetti.

Ziesty Chicken Casserole ** My personal comments are in red**

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

4-6 chicken breast...(they call for whole fryer but it has dark meat and that's not good for you)

Remove the skin from the chicken breast before boiling it.
Put in large stockpot and cook until it is done. Remove and set it aside the chicken breast to cool, then once cool...debone and dice
Place the chicken broth in the refrigerator to cool.
After it cools...skim off the fat that has risen to the top and hardened.

Cook 12 ounces of thin spaghetti (I used Smart Taste...the same brand the Biggest Loser Book calls for....very healthy)

1 Cup of finely diced onions 2 cups celery-finely diced (I chop fine cause my family don't like to find it in their food)
**Because my family doesn't like their onions or celery crunchy...I cook the celery, onions and spaghetti together to soften them
If your casserole is too dry...use some of the broth to moisten it2 cans of famous brand tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)...drained and chopped (**again, I only use 1 because hubby doesn't like it hot)

1 can of cream of mushroom soup...get the low fat..(I used generic in this)
1 cup of skim milk
In a large container: stir together all of the ingredients...diced chicken, mushroom soup, onion, celery, Rotel, milk. Stir the together until well blended, then add the cooked pasta and blend it thoroughly. Salt and pepper to taste.

Place this in to a casserole dish that has been sprayed with olive oil in a spray bottle, not Pam with the Propellents in it.

Bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes he gets to bubbling and starting to brown on top some. It is up to you whether you sprinkled cheddar cheese or something like that one the top after taking it out of the oven.

Perfect to be served with corn on the cob, a simple salad, healthy bread or rolls. It is very filling and very healthy.

Less than 5 gm of Fat in a serving.

Enjoy!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Good Wife/Bad Wife

All little girls dream of growing up, getting married and living happily ever after. As little girls, we imagine what it will be like to be a wife and a mother. If we could get what we dream of...we would never fight with our husband, never nag, complain, whine and we would live fairytale lives.

Being married for 5 1/2 years and divorced before I turned 24 years old...well, means that I didn't get to live out my fairytale life, now does it?

It definitely wasn't a marriage without fighting. I am not sure how much nagging there was but I remember doing a lot of begging in those days. I would beg my husband to stay at home at night with me, love me and make me feel special. I left that marriage feeling defeated, like a failure and like I didn't deserve to be happy and loved.

We serve a God of second chances and I was granted another chance at living happily ever after.

God blessed me with a wonderful husband that was exactly what I was praying for...he met every desire that I had wanted and prayed for in a husband.

Has our marriage be without problems? "No" Have I always been a loving, sweet and kind wife throughout our nearly 18 years of marriage? "No".

We are going through the Love Dare video and workbook in Sunday School. I know for a fact that I have so many area that I need to improve on. The Lord is continually working on me to make the changes that He wants to see in me as a wife.

What kind of wife are you? The book of Proverbs have numerous scriptures referencing being a good wife and a bad wife. I know from time to time (probably more than I want to admit) I have fallen into the catagory of a bad wife. I am including a few verses on both the good and the bad.

Good Wife
Proverbs 19:14
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD

Proverbs 18:22
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Bad Wife
Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 25:24
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

I have been guilty of being quarrelsome and ill-tempered which is not pleasing to Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father:
You see my heart today and the love that I have for Roger. I know that I haven't always been the best wife to him and for that, I ask you to forgive me. Help me to always remember that Roger is a gift from you to me and a second chance to be happily married. Help me, Lord to honor, respect, love, nurture and encourage him all the days of his life as you have instructed me to do. I ask that you continue to bless the our marriage for the rest of our lives and as we grow old together to never lose focus of the precious gift we are to each other. Lord, I want to be a good wife in your eyes and in Roger's. I want to be pleasing to you, Lord and my wonderful husband.

Ecclesiastes 9:9
Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift. It's all you get in exchange For the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

It's A Brand New Day!

Lamentations 3:21-25

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: (22) Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (23) They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (24) I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." (25) The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; (NIV)

Good Morning!

1. Did you wake up this morning needing a fresh start?
2. Was yesterday or last week not one of your finest expressions of the love of Jesus Christ shining in your life?
3. Did you do something, say something or offend someone?
4. Did the enemy of your soul beat you up and tell you how unworthy you are of God's love because of your actions?
5. Did he lie to you and tell you that you were a terrible person, wife, mother or friend?
6. Did he tell you that God was angry with you because God had forgiven you for the same sin over and over again?
7. Did he tell you that God was tired of forgiving you for the same sins?
8. Did he tell you that you just need to quit trying?

I have had days when it seemed like I couldn't do anything right. I would say the wrong thing, react without thinking, get frustrated or angry at my family, say things that weren't pleasing to God...you could say that if I could mess it up that day, then I messed it up.

You know, when you have moments or even, days like this when you lose focus of God, not guarding your tongue, ignoring the nudge of the Holy Spirit to keep you mouth shut. When we lose our focus, not listening the Holy Spirit, we end up doing and saying what we want to or feel like at that moment so that we feel better. We use many excuses to justify what we did..."I was just being honest", "I had a bad day", "well, you ALWAYS do this or that", or out of frustration and/or retaliation...well, you get the picture.

I haven't had one of those days that was that bad lately, but I have moments nearly everyday that I mess up and say or do the wrong thing. Sometimes, you just open your mouth and not think before you speak. I have days that I might have had a bad day at work or somewhere else and it seems to erupt on my family. You know what I mean...they do or say the wrong thing...no biggie but because you are already frustrated...it become a huge issue.

The Holy Spirit is gently nudging you, then poking you and finally, He is practically screaming in your spirit to shut your mouth or to just stop. There are many times that I listen and will be obedient and there are times that...I just let it all out...get it off my chest.

I Corinthians 2:10

but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (NIV)

After this happens, the Holy Spirit will still check your spirit, convict you and help you to see the error of your ways. At that time, we still have the choice to either repent, make amends to those we hurt or be defiant and refuse. Sometimes, for me, I have to cool off or calm down first before I am willing to listen to the Holy Spirit. When I get to that point, then I feel terribly guilty that I did or said what I did.

I Peter 5:8

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. (Message)

Oh, but the good new is every moment of the day and every morning that you are blessed to wake up...you have another chance to make things right and to choose to do the right thing today. God is a god of..."another chance". I am so thankful that He forgives me when I repent and He helps me to not make the same mistake again. However, if I make the same mistake again...He is right there to correct me, forgive me and give me another chance. God looks at our heart and He knows what is truly in our hearts. The flesh is weak and will be tempted by the enemy. What we can't allow the enemy to do is have a foothold in our lives of guilt and condemnation.

Ephesians 4:26-32
"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, (27) and do not give the devil a foothold. (28) He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. (29) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (32) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)

Today is a new day for a fresh new, forgiven start. Don't let the enemy convince you otherwise. Walk in peace today with your head held high for you are royalty...you are a child of the King of Kings and the enemy is under your feet.

Romans 16: 20

And God, our source of peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

FYI: I guess only Beth aka sailorcross will be getting one of my "jeweled" handcrafted wooden crosses since no one else signed up for Pay It Forward :-(

Beth, I plan to get busy on your gift in the next few weeks...hopefully, it won't take me 365 days to complete. Please email me with your mailing address so I can ship it to you when it is completed.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Work of the Hands~Pay It Forward Challenge

I was visiting with Tricia over at It's All About Him a few weeks ago and found out about this pay it forward challenge...

It involves blessing 3 someones with a handmade gift! Hand-made gifts represent an investment of two valuable things...love & time.

I do love to make things, but I'm not sure how crafty I would be. I have ideas but the finished product doesn't always turn out like I want them to. So, I hadn't posted this to my blog yet because I was trying to figure out what I could make....I'VE GOT IT! NOW!!! But, I'm not telling you what it is...it will be good though!

I was at a friend's birthday party the other night and she received one of these...it was home made. It looked really easy and I am handy with power tools plus my daddy had a wood working shop...all of it is still in the shop out back.

So I have decided to take part in Tricia's challenge and I was one of the first 3 to comment on her entry. It will made with love!

So here are the rules if you want to take part in this challenge... I think it will be so much fun!

The first 3 bloggers to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand-made item from me. Those 3 bloggers promise to post this challenge on their blog (meaning they too will ‘pay-it-forward’, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers that leave a comment on their blog!!) That's a lot of hand-made love being passed around! ; )

Here's the part I got really excited about...the gift can be anything you choose and any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. Are you up for it? What do you say?

If you are up for the challenge...be one of the first 3 to comment...hurry!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday~In Christ Alone

In Christ Alone by Brian Littrell has become one of my favorite song. No matter what you are going through in your life whether it is something minor or something earth shattering/life changing...we must put our faith and trust in Christ Alone. He is our Redeemer, Savior, Healer, Prince of Peace, Joy, Strength, Hope for tomorrow, Provider, Light in a dark world and He is our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally.

In Christ Alone...all things are possible.

***Scroll down and pause my music in the right sidebar***



I just love these pictures...many of these were in my picture Bible as a child...they paint a beautiful picture of Christ along with a beautiful, powerful song. I pray it ministers to you today.

For more wonderful Then Sings My Soul Saturday...visit Amy here.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Friday Funnies~Did I Read That Right?

Did I Read That Right???

Hmmm.. decisions, decisions!

Then, how should I get in??? Maybe the exit?

Hope the emergency's not too urgent!

Sounds tasty doesn't it?

McDeath?

Geez, not even an emergency phone?

To calm those stressed rabbits.

NO! The other right!

Oops, not secret anymore!!

A fine example of rocket science!

For more Friday Funnies...join Kim at Homesteaders Heart.


Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for so many things but I will keep it brief today :-)

1. The love, protection and my eternal destination with Jesus Christ my Lord!

2. I am proud, honored and thankful to be an American living in freedom...One Nation Under God With Liberty and Justice For All!

3. A sweet husband who is allowing me to go out with my girlfriend tonight for some girl time...something I seldom do.

4. A good car and a wonderful heater on these very cold days.

5. For the 15 minutes of an Arkansas "blizzard" and right after sunshine. The roofers across the street never missed a nail or a shingle...only in Arkansas.

6. For my sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful son who is growing up fast but still loves spending time with his mom and dad. I am cherishing every moment of the last few years with him at home.

7. The promotion that Brandon got on his job and is now full time in our bleak economy.

8. The jobs that Roger and I both have and weekly paychecks.

9. The few pounds that I have lost, but mostly the 13+ pounds my husband has lost with our new healthy eating and my wonderful new cookbook...Biggest Loser Family Cookbook with awesome recipes.

10. The amazing promises that I discover daily in the Word of God.

For more Thankful Thursdays...visit Lori at Lori's Reflections.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Trying To Eat Healthy and Lose Weight

Roger and I started changing our way of eating and cooking about 3 weeks ago. He has high blood pressure and high cholesterol with heart disease in his family. I am getting to the borderline of high cholesterol and about 30 pounds overweight. We have lost and gain several times over the years but we decided that we weren't going on a diet.

Instead of dieting that works only when you are on the diet and you regain the weight after you go back to eating like you did before you started...I wanted to learn more about a healthy way of cooking and eating, life changing habits.

I am a huge fan of the Biggest Loser and I decided after this past season to buy the cookbook.

I purchased the Biggest Loser Family Cookbook and oh, my....the recipes are delicious!

We have started eating lots of turkey (which I haven't been a fan of before) and Tyler loves some of the recipes that I fixed before with ground beef...now better with turkey. He has never like chili but loves my turkey chili...he ate several bowls of it. He is a growing boy with a huge appetite.


(Not a pic of mine...just a visual aid)

I wanted to share our favorite recipe so far...I fixed it for lunch Sunday after church. Keep in mind that I prepared the Marinara sauce on Friday for another recipe. It makes enough for at least two recipes. The sauce takes an hour to cook prior to making the rest of the recipe...make before hand.

Spirals and Meatballs

Marinara Sauce:

Olive Oil Spray...put extra virgin olive oil in a spray bottle...not Pam

1 cup of minced yellow or white onion

2 Tbsp. of freshly minced garlic

1 - 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup of water

2 Tbsp. of no-salt-added tomato paste

2 Tbsp. of honey

1 Tbsp. of dried oregano

2 tsp. of dried basil

1/2 tsp. of crushed red pepper flakes- will leave out next time (Roger doesn't like hot or spicy)

Salt - to taste

Spray a medium sauce pan with your olive oil spray and place over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until just becoming tender. Reduce heat to low and with a wooden spoon stir in tomatoes, water, tomato paste, honey, oregano, basil and pepper flakes until well combined.

Cover and cook, stirring occasionally for at least 1 hour.

Meatballs: Delicious!!! Roger said not everyone can make a delicious meatball...but he loved these.

Olive oil spray

2 egg whites

1/2 cup of quick-cooking oats

1/4 cup of fat free milk

1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley

1 Tbsp. of dried minced onions

1/2 tsp. of dried oregano

1/2 tsp. of garlic powder

1/4 tsp. of salt

1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper (I left out)

1 lb. of 96% lean ground beef

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a large nonstick baking sheet with the olive oil spray.

In a medium bowl, using a fork, mix together the egg whites, oats and milk until well blended. Added the parsley, onion, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper flakes until combined. Mix in the beef until well combined.

Make 32 uniform meatballs, each about 1 1/4" diameter. Roll the balls with your hands and arrange, not touching, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until no longer pink inside.

Pasta:

8 ounces of fiber-enriched rotini pasta (said they use Ronzoni Smart Taste...we already use this)

3 cups of Marinara Sauce

32 Favorite Meatballs

4 tsp. of grated reduced fat Parmesan cheese

This was wonderful, filling meal that was healthy and low in fat and calories.

Let me know if you try it and what you think.

Oh...did I mention that Roger has lost 13 pounds and well, I've lost 3!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Looking Back...Way Back!

First Things First:
Please pray for our new president...President Obama today and every day. I was listening to K-Love yesterday and DJ, Lisa Williams was talking about getting ready to go on a trip, packing, praying she wouldn't get stressed out and forget anything. Then she began to think about the stress, pressure and responsibilities of President Obama will be facing over the next 4 years...our military, our protection against terrorist, economy, education, health care and so much more...he holds the United States in his hands. Yes, Jesus Christ truly holds us in the palm of His hand but I am speaking about the power and responsibility that the President of the United States has on his shoulders. We need to lift him up in prayer daily as God has told us to do regardless of our politial view, beliefs or opinions of our new president...nothing changes what God's word says:

I Timothy 2:2
Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we canhave quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God.


I love Facebook! I really didn't see what all the hype was about earlier this year when I created an account. I have since then...seen the light.

What has made Facebook so special for me is that recently, I have reconnected with former schoolmates that I haven't seen in 28 years.

Carl, who moved to Oregon 20 years ago, started posting old photos from school or better yet...that era! LOL! Boy, oh boy...have we changed and have things changed.

Long went the simply things in life, no responsibilities (except to clean your room), no bills to pay, no meals to prepare and you weren't responsible for anyone other than yourself.

The style of clothing, the hair styles and the make-up...has had me laughing today. It is amazing to see how much we all have changed when it only seems like just yesterday. The adventures, twist and turns that each one of our lives have taken. The different paths that we have taken since we graduated high school. Some have been married for years and years and others have married, divorced and remarried...others are not married or no longer married. Some have grown children, young children and some don't have any children. Some have made good career choices and other have "wasted" their lives with drugs and alcohol. Some have moved across the country, some just across the state and some haven't move very far from home after all these years. And sadly...some have lost their lives several years ago. One girl that I went to school with died with her two children in a house fire about 10 years ago and a guy that I graduated with died of a heart attack just past his 40th birthday.

When I think about been a teenager and living at home...the freedom, carefree life that I was living and for the most part....responsible free and all expenses paid...I ask myself from time to time when I reflect back to 1981...what was I thinking? All of that changed when I got married 3 weeks after I graduated from high school.

For me, I have been responsible for another human being (my son, Brandon) for 22, almost 23 years. Regardless, of how old they get...you are still responsible for them in one sense or another. Then, I became a step-mother of two daughters ages 12 and 10. After that, I became the mother of another son, Tyler, who is now 14 years old. Seven years ago, I became a grandmother to Mason.

During my first marriage, things weren't like God intended a marriage to be and even though, I was responsible for my husband as his wife but it never felt like it. I did every thing that I knew how to do to be a good wife so that he would be faithful, devoted and love me in return. It just didn't happen.

It wasn't until nearly 18 years ago that I married the man of my dreams and prayers that I understood what being responsible for a husband was all about. It is my honor and privilege to be responsible for and serve each one that God has so graciously blessed me with.

I love reflecting back over my life, seeing all that has happened in my life and how God has kept His hand on me each and every step of the way. Just as one of my favor scriptures so beautifully states.

Hebrews 13:5 (The Message Bible)
..."I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"


Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Rested and Refreshed~

• Have you ever had moments, days and/or weeks that you felt like you couldn't put one foot in front of the other...at least, not without it requiring a major effort?
• Have you gone to bed at night and got a good nights sleep but yet, you woke up as tired as you were when you went to bed?
• Have you ever felt that you just couldn't hold your eyes open regardless of what time of day it is?
• Have you ever felt that you were so brain dead that the simpliest things took a great effort to achieve?
• Have you ever just felt bad but yet you didn't have any specific symptoms?

Well, that was me last week. I still don't have any clue exactly what was wrong with me except I was running on empty.

I have become addicted to blogging (reading, writing & commenting) and I love staying in touch with all of my new bloggy friends. I also love Facebook. I have reconnected with a number of former classmates and it has been so much fun catching up after 28 years. So, I hadn't been getting much sleep at night...normally 5-6 hours. This is about the only time that I get a chance to write or surf that it won't interferer with my responsibilities as a wife, mother and employee. The only thing that I can think of is that...it all caught up with me.

This past week, I made sure that I did only what was necessary and nothing more. I got up, worked at my job, took care of my duties as a wife and mother (barely) and went to bed every night by 9:30 PM. My wonderful husband got Tyler up Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for school and took him for me so I could sleep just a little bit longer also. I posted just a couple of entries...mainly, prayer request, updates and one because I am so proud of my husband. But, nothing that too a lot of brain function.

The one thing that I love is that no matter how tired I am, how "ucky" I feel or how little brain function I might have...I can still pray. It doesn't take much effort to talk to Jesus. Yes, there are days that I don't feel like praying, other times when I feel like I'm not sure that I can explain what is going on in my life or sometimes, I am too sick to pray. This past week wasn't one of those times.

I was exhausted in my physical body but my spirit was well, thriving and energized. I guess, by eliminating all the "extras" for the week...it eliminated a lot of extra stress, late night hours and gave my brain a much needed break. I found myself having a "praisefest" while sitting at my desk working, listening to my priase and worship music and more time to reflect on God's goodness. My spirit was full of praise and worship for the One who loves me and brings us to a place of rest in many different ways.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? GOD doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. (29) He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. (30) even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. (31) those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. (The Message)

Jeremiah 31:25
I'll refresh tired bodies; I'll restore tired souls. (The Message)

Wow!!! He will refresh my tired body and whenever, my soul gets tired and wore out...He will restore it as well.

Physically, I am renewed in my rest but I can honestly say...I don't have any clue what I'll be writing about his week. I will take it one day at a time and let the Lord lay something on my heart daily. Stay tuned...who knows what will be here this week :-)

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Lastest Update on Ronnie~

Ronnie came through surgery this afternoon and is doing well. They didn't remove the oral cancer due to the extent of the tissue that would have to be removed but put in a port cath and took a biopsy. They will begin radiation and chemo soon.

Please continue to lift Ronnie and his family up in prayer during this very difficult time of recovery and treatment. Pray that the treatments are successful, pray for strength, peace and that they will be able to rest in Him.

Thank you for praying for our dear friends. I am so thankful that God doesn't require us to know one another personally to be able to carry each other's burden and lay them at the feet of Jesus.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Update To Prayer Request

I just received another text message from Dorinda. The doctors have decided to just do a biopsy instead of surgery, then use radiation and chemo to get rid of the cancer. As she said "It is a scary thing but we have a BIG God!" Amen!

Please keep Ronnie and his family in your prayers. God is able!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Praise Report and Prayer Request~

Good Morning Everyone!

I wanted to give you a brief update on Dorinda's sister's family this morning. I got a text from Dorinda last night (but didn't get it until this morning cause my phone was off and I was in the bed...not feeling good) stating they were taking Deanna into surgery to do a C-Section delivery around 10 PM. She said then that Tami (Dorinda's sister and Deanna's mom) was exhausted and very upset. She was emotionally, mentally and physically drained with all that was going on . She had to be at the hospital bright and early this morning with her husband, Ronnie who was having major surgery for oral cancer. It has been an emotional week for them.

The praise report is that Deanna and baby girl are doing great. Baby girl arrived here safely about 10:45 PM and they are both doing well this morning.

Prayer Request - Please pray for Ronnie and Tami today. He is facing major surgery for oral cancer...the second surgery since August '08. Please pray for strength, peace and for wisdom for the doctors treating Ronnie. As of a few minutes ago, 11 AM, Ronnie had not been taken back for surgery yet. I can only imagine the anxiousness that they are feeling right now, but God can pour out His peace that passes all understanding on them right now.

Dorinda asked me to tell everyone thank you so much for your prayers...we are blessed to have such wonderful bloggy friends, who are mighty prayer warriors!

Also, we requested prayer for Dorinda's daughter and son-in-law...Glenda and Brad. She just posted an update on her blog...Journey To Ever After...if you get time...go over and read it (haven't read it all yet) and see what God is doing in their lives.

P.S. Thank you to those who have been praying for me...I am feeling more like myself today than I have been all week. I was so tired, no brain functioning power, feeling like I was trying to get a cold and/or just sick. I had no energy or desire to blog or Facebook this week...gee, I must have been sick! It was all I could do to be an employee, wife and mother. I usually function on about 5 hours of sleep a night because I am blogging or Facebooking but this week, I was in bed asleep by 9:30 and Roger took Tyler to school 3 days so I could sleep a little longer...it paid off with sleep and prayers...I feel much better. I'm taking the rest of the week off from blogging and will hopefully, be back full force on Monday. I am going to read and comment this weekend but not post. Boy...I've missed you guys! Pray you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~I Am So Proud!~

Psalm 90:17

And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands--yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it. (The Amplified)

I am so proud of my husband! He works hard at everything he does...never slacking. I pray over him daily for both of the jobs that he works. I pray over his daily environmental job that everything his hands touch will be blessed, he would be a testimony for Jesus Christ, safety and continue to be a man of integrity.

On his second job, his part-time one at the police department...it is hard work, 8 additional hours to his already 10 hour work day but he loves it. He is so compassionate, friendly and isn't like most...he gets his work done, does what needs to be done in a situation with cussing! Many have encouraged him to "get tough", "talk tough" or he couldn't handle certain situations. For those who already know Roger...he is a big guy, teddy bear nearly all the time UNLESS he is threatened, his family or another person...he will do whatever it takes to protect others. You would see a side that you never knew existed. I have no doubt that my husband can handle any situation, person or circumstance that comes his way and still be pleasing to Jesus Christ.

I plead the blood of Jesus over him everyday anyway, but extra on the days/nights he works at the police department. The world is changing quickly even in a small town...you can never be too careful. I pray that he touches someone when he is working at the police department...make a difference in someones life.

The following letter shows one example of how he touches lives with another officer through concern, compassion and good insight...thinking ahead of time. You might have to click on the picture to enlarge it and hopefully, you can read it.

I am so proud of my husband! He is my hero, my best friend, my lover, my soul mate, my protector and the wonderful father of our children.

Honey, I love you!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Prayer Request

Dorinda sent me an email this afternoon and ask me to send this to all the prayer warriors that I know...I don't know of any better place to start than with you guys! You have all been such a blessing to not only me, but Ashlyn, my uncle and my mom over the past few weeks and months. If I have ask you to pray...you pray! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You guys are so inspiring, encouraging and I love each one of you.

You will find below Dorinda's original prayer request in blue and my explanation in red...helping you understand a little bit better the desperate situations that they are in.

Pastor Rusty and Dorinda's Daughter and SIL: Moved to Washington DC a couple of months ago following God's calling in a different direction in their lives...they were pastors of a church in Huntsville, AR x 8 years. They lived in the inner city (close to church where Brad is training) and Glenda was homeschooling Macy (kindergarten). Macy is a very social child and therefore, missed having friends (not many children where they were living) and classmates. She needed to be in a school setting. They moved again... after much prayer...they moved to outside the city and were able to put Macy in a Christian school (God blessed them...no tuition) and the church that Brad is working/training under is planting a church in this area . Macy has flourished, love their new rent house. The problem is...they had to move out of their rent house in DC while under a lease. They are currently responsible for paying rent on two houses in DC plus a mortgage payment because the tenants in their house in Huntsville...moved out. They are on a one year work study program WITHOUT PAY for one year. They raised money and got some sponsors to help with living expenses, sold much of what they owned and trusting God to provide the rest...that didn't include a mortgage payment and extra rent on the 1st house. This money is coming from their money saved to be used throughout this year's living expenses in DC.

First of all- Brad and Glenda really need prayer. They are trying so hard to trust God. They moved because the landlord told them the house would be rented in a week. No problem. Don’t worry about it. Well, here it is almost a month later and $2200. Later.

Dorinda's sister...Tami...her husband had cancer of the tongue with surgical removal of the mass and part of his tongue back in August. The cancer is back in his tongue but a faster, more evasive kind this time. Ronnie and Tami have a younger daughter, Kaylee who is only 9-10 plus Tami has a daughter who is married and having her 1st child this week also.

Secondly – my sister and her family.
Ronnie’s cancer is back with a vengeance. The doc said it is the kind that wants to grow and move. They are doing a rush surgery – massive stuff- on Friday to remove tumor, remove lots of teeth – put in ports for chemo and feeding tube in stomach. Then he will also start radiation asap.
For Tammie- her daughter is being induced on Thursday. Tammie is just beside herself. She wants so bad to be with Deanna when she goes home etc. But Ronnie will need her also. I know it will all work out and she does too – but she just hates to miss this time with Deanna. Something you can never make up….

Please pray for God's peace, guidance and wisdom in these situations concerning my family.

Thanks so much !!!
db - Dorinda -

These are the links to Dorinda, Glenda, Brad and Pastor Rusty's blogs. I gave the general link so that you could scroll through to read other entries, except on Brad's...I wanted it to take you straight to this entry on TRUST! As, I have been blogging about...Through The Fire...is what I am seeing and they will come out unharmed on the other side...better, stronger and with faith to move mountains.

Dorinda's Blog
Glenda's Blog
Brad's Blog (this link is today's on trust)
Pastor Rusty's Blog also wrote on trust.

Thank you for adding this to the prayer blog and forwarding it on to any and all prayer warriors for my dear friends, my pastor and their families!

P. S. Sorry that I haven't been around the past few days but I am covered up at work, home and with my family. I am still trying to find balance. I have decided that I will post an entry on the days that I have the time (sometimes...6 days a week and others might be 2-3) and something on my heart and the days that I am needed by my family will be the days that I have to put them before my blog. It is hard because I love blogging and staying in touch with everyone...but for me, there isn't enough time in the day. I have been running on about 5 hours of sleep for months...I am exhausted. So, if I don't read and comment on your blogs everyday...I'm sorry but you are all on my hearts and in my prayers. I have a list of the prayer request that you have asked me to remember...typed, laminated (wipe off marker works great to add more) and tied with a pretty bow on the lamp that sits on my desk...I see it all day long and call the names out many times a day. SO...I HAVEN'T FORGOT YOU!

Love you guys...you are special to me!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday~Refiner's Fire

This is the first time that I've ever heard this song and I thought it was beautiful. It goes perfectly with my heart's cry this week and reflects my writings too. Enjoy!

Scroll down and pause my music first!



Check out more wonderful Then Sings My Saturday here! Have a great weekend.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~By Faith~

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that is completely out of your control?

Has God ever asked you to do something that you didn't want to do because of what others would think or say?

Has God told you to go but you didn't know how, when or where?

Do you have a loved one that is unsaved and refusing to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ?

Has God asked you to give money when you couldn't afford to pay your bills?

Are you in a financial situation where you don't know how you are going to make it?

Are you having a health crisis, terminal illness or it one that is affecting your loved one?

Have you prayed and prayed, but the answer hasn't come yet?

Have you ever felt like God is not hearing your prayers, He isn't listening or He has turned His back on you?

Do you feel defeated in whatever the situation is?

If you are in one or more than one of these situations, I can relate because I have been in one and sometimes, more than one at a time. It is a sick feeling to know that you...physically...can't change the things that are going on around you or the ones that you love.

If you have acknowledged that there is nothing further that you can do in your situation...then, you are exactly where God wants you to be...totally dependent on Him for the answer.

I love Hebrew 11...By Faith

Hebrew 11:1 - Tells us what faith is...
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

As we read throughout this wonderful chapter, we see the things that faith has made a difference in and completely changed the course of an entire nation and/or someone's life. A lot of the following is exactly like the NIV is written, other places I paraphrased, skipped some parts and what is in parenthesis...are my thoughts.

By Faith - we understand the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By Faith - Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By Faith - Enoch was taken from this life, so that he didn't experience death; he couldn't be found because God took him away. (Enoch never suffered death but yet, he was gone from the earth.)

Without Faith - It is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must BELIEVE that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By Faith - Noah was warned of things he had not seen yet, in holy fear built and ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by FAITH. (He took God at His Word, trusting God...putting his FAITH in God and it came to pass just like God said it would...otherwise, Noah and his family would have died.)
By Faith - Abraham went where God told him to go, not knowing that he would receive his inheritance there. By faith, Abraham made his home in the promise land like God told him to.
(God sometimes tells us to go...He doesn't tell us why or reveal His plan for our lives. He simply asks us to trust Him, be obedient and have FAITH.)
By Faith - Abraham became a father when he was old. (He became the father of many nations...because he trusted God and had FAITH.)
By Faith - Abraham, when tested by God, offered Issac as a sacrifice. (God provided a sacrifice when Abraham was obedient and didn't question God...but, had FAITH.)
By Faith - Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's decree. (They had...FAITH that God would make a way where there seemed to be no way.)
By Faith - Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter...but instead he chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as a greater value. (He stood out and chose to do the opposite of what was popular, he refused to deny Christ but stood up what he believed regardless of the consequences...by FAITH.)
By Faith - he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
By Faith - he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood...so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
By Faith - the people pass through the Red Sea on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By Faith - the walls of Jericho fell, after the people marched around them for seven days.
By Faith - the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were obedient.
By Faith - Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, administrated justice and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; who weaknesses were turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again.
What about the woman with the issue of blood? By FAITH, she was healed by touching the hem of Jesus's garment.

It is amazing to me how such a small word can require so much from us (for some, having faith is easy but for others, it is difficult) and yet...yields such rewards far greater than the sacrifice that God ask us to give...He gives back to us in abundance because we submit to Him and HAVE FAITH.

I hope I didn't lose anyone along the way but for whatever reason...this was burning in my heart to share.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!