Trying to Keep Organized

Things have been so busy these past few weeks. So much on the plate! I have recently been selected to head up an awesome group of ladies who minister, so selflessly to young girls/women. I feel like this is such an incredible responsibility! Scripture tells us to mentor the younger so that they will not falter as they grow. My desire is to walk beside, encourage and support these mentors who are doing such a great job of mentoring the young girls/women in our church! I want them to know that someone is praying for THEM each and every day and that what they do is not in vain.

Our world is so full of rmgs = really mean girls. Even in church life it exists. I walked into 2 great girls just yesterday at church who were in the throws of this rmg thing. You know, I don't even think that the 2 young ladies even realized what they were saying or how it impacted the other little girl that they were talking about. You see this other little girl heard them and knew it was she that they were making fun of and trying to avoid. It breaks my heart. She looks at these 2 other girls as "friends" and spends each week with them. It's so hard to see these things happen. I am sure that if we all looked back at our own childhoods, we could see events that changed how we looked at ourselves and others. How much more magnified is it today? That is why I am so excited about being able to walk along side of these wonderful sponsors and helpers each week; to encourage them to continue in the fight for our girl's hearts, minds and souls. They are the next generation of warriors for His Kingdom!

Mondays are a busy, busy day in our home this school year. The girls have piano, followed by chemistry at MOSI, followed by 2.5 hours of pointe and jazz. We are out of the house from noontime until 830! I hope NOT to do this again next school year. Both are so enjoying the arts though and that's so awesome to me being that my heart(and degree) is in the arts. They are having a great time in chemistry too. They have met some nice boys and girls(12 in their class), and are learning so much. It was $$ saved up that was well spent. :-)

Off to finish up some odds and ends for an upcoming sleepover this week-end!
Be Blessed!

Great Sunday Service!

This morning's service was quite inspiring. Evangelist Roosevelt Hunter was with us for the day. When he stepped into the pulpit, he seemed a bit quiet. He was very gracious and complimentary of our church. And then he began to preach! Pastor Hunter talked about how easy it is for our focus to get scewed when we are doing the work of the Lord. The discussion went back to the 10 spies Moses sent into the Promised Land. All 10 came back with rave reviews of Canaan. All 10 of them went on and on about the food, the land itself, etc. Then all of the sudden 8 of the spies began to put fear into the hearts of the people by telling them about the people of Canaan. Roosevelt pulled out a pair of reading glasses and likened using them to enlarge our view to the negative view that the enemy can bring from time to time. hmmmm..... pretty cool, huh?

It got me to thinking about how I view circumstances in my life as well as how I fret and worry over circumstances in other people's lives. Lately I seem to forget that nothing takes my God by surprise. Not that He causes these things to happen mind you, and I DO know that. But I DO believe that what the enemy means for evil, God WILL work out for our good and for HIS glory!

Words from a song come to mind right now:

He's been faithful, faithful to me.
Looking back... His tender mercies I see...
Though in my heart I had questioned...
Even failed to believe...
Still He's been faithful, faithful to me....

So.... my goal for this week is to rely more on God's Word and less on my thoughts... to continue to fervently pray for those that I KNOW are going through tough times right now, and to put my faith and trust in Him, knowing that His hand will continue to be in EACH and EVEY situation. Won't you agree?

Be Blessed!

Such a Heavy Heart

My heart is so heavy right now. Tears have been a mainstay since late last week. One of my close friends has been told that she has 8 tumors in her brain. She is such a dynamic woman with a dynamic testimony. You see, this lady has just completed her final radiation treatment for breast cancer. 10 months ago, she was diagnosed with stage 2, breast cancer. She faced it valiantly, to say the least. Her mother was going through stage 4 ovarian cancer at the same time, and my friend was her mother's primary caregiver as well. Her mother is in remission, PTL! This woman also home schools 4 of her 6 children, and is an icu nurse, working full time hours. If that isn't incredible, I don't know what is!!

After going through genetic testing, she discovered that she was a prime candidate for a recurrence of breast cancer as well as ovarian. So, my friend had her other breast removed and ovaries as well. All of this to be proactive, to prevent the chances of anything else occurring. And yet..... She had been having headaches for the past month and doctors thought it was due to radiation, etc. Sent for a ct scan last week, this wonerful lady has been told the breast cancer has metastasized to her brain. Hence 8 tumors.....

Being a nurse, while working, my friend did some investigating only to find the life expectancy is 3-4 months and that's with 2-3 tumors. She could lose her memory tomorrow, next week, no one knows. The doctors want to do a specific form of radiation to shrink 2 of the major tumors. Problem: treatment will cause loss of memory and loss of cognitivity. If this occurs, she will be unable to work. If she doesn't work, there is no insurance to pay for treatment.

I keep trying to focus on the words: BUT GOD..... Pastor says those words all of the time and I truly believe them! It's not easy right now for me to say them and yet that is what I am clinging to for my friend and her family. I am praying that God will direct their steps and that a complete MIRACLE will occur that will set the medical community on their behinds! :-) 2 other very dear and close friend are going through complete nightmares within their families as well.

Sometimes I sit and think of how difficult things are for my own family right now and then God brings to memory my close friends and their lives. It's then that I realize that my mother is still alive, in remission, and with our family, that my own diseases are under control, that my hubby has an incredible job that allows him to pray with folk for their salvation as they prepare to enter into eternity, that my 2, beautiful daughters are healthy and happy. I could go on and on and on.

None of what is happening is taking God by surprise. I am not saying that He has caused it to happen by any means. But I do know that He is in control. We need to hold God to what His Word says. I think He likes it when we do that. It shows Him that we do believe in His Word and His infinite grace and mercy. So tonight as I lay my head down for one more night's rest, I will hold to His Word that provides grace, mercy and peace for EVERY situation.

Be Blessed,

I Added Something!

To be honest, I have no idea how I was able to add a bookshelf to my page, but I am excited that it's there! I am so hoping that when my friend gets home from California, she will be able to show me the ropes, so to speak. I just love how she has laid out her blog page. It is so fresh and bright.

Blessed to have a long week-end ahead. Dh is off Saturday and Sunday but is working Labor Day. It's one of his scheduled holidays to work. He is a hospice nurse and works in people's homes. He is the one who is there when someone passes, more often than not. God has blessed him with a tremendous gift of compassion. Who knew that after 21 years at one job, climbing the corporate ladder, awesome benefits, etc. that God would place this in his heart. He truly finds joy in being able to pray with and, yes, lead folks to the Lord while working. I just love him so much!

With the windows done and framing complete, we are now on to pressure washing, sealing and ultimately painting. So much going on in my mind regarding paint colors. We picked up paint samples to paint on the wall before we actually buy. We will put up the samples first, but I fear that I already do not like the color we chose for the trim to which hubby just rolled his eyes. He says "choose before we buy, lady! Once it's up, it stays up." He's so cute. ;-)

We have a team TBQ party on Saturday. I am a bit apprehensive to go, but am learning to work within myself to be able to stand tall and not be the door mat that I have been with certain people and situations. God is showing me grace and mercy as well as strength. I need to be a role model for my girls as well as others and am praying daily and searching God's Word for confirmation and wisdom. Parties are supposed to be fun, right? So...... I am PLANNING on having FUN!

Be Blessed.

Too Much Going On!

I am not quite sure how people keep up with blogging! There is so much to do in a day's time. I guess this becomes a part of daily living, huh?

Our newest addition is adjusting pretty well to life in our household. The girls just love her and want to carry her everywhere. Funny thing about this little kitten she doesn't like to be held and carried. She loves to be touched and scratched, etc., just when she is on the ground. We have changed her name to Rilee. She looks like a Rilee and the name seems to roll off the tongue a bit easier. I think maybe we got a new addition a bit too early for us humans. There are times when both cats get called by the name of our baby who recently passed: Allie. Bringing Rilee into our family was great timing for our other cat as Suzie is 1 year old and truly needs a playmate. They get along famously!! If only I could get Rilee to quit cleaning my eyelids in the middle of the night.

The changing of windows has been quite a venture. We replaced the 2 windows in the front of our home. We went from 6 foot windows to 4 foot, which is quite a shock when you watch the process. Our home is over 30 years old and in need of window replacement. While replacing windows we decided to do away with shutters and add a chair rail and frame the new windows. It looks so nice. Next step: pressure wash and painting of the house. Now that will be a fun venture! The girls are so looking forward to helping. Hopefully, dad will be as excited about their wanting to help as they are! :-)

Be Blessed.