Can I Pull This Off??

Ok.... so I guess I am putting myself out there. For me this is going to be HUGE....for several reasons

• I am so new to blogging
• I am such a sporadic blogger
• Most of my posts are SO random
• AND I don't seem to take time to blog daily. (time? who has time?)
• I am not the best at carrying things out as I should (so this should be accountability, huh?)
• AND I have to admit. I do not always give thanks, I take many things for granted, I don't thank others enough, I do not show appreciation where & when it is due, and I never praise the LORD enough for HIS BLESSINGS on ME!!

So, beginning tomorrow, I plan on GIVING THANKS each day of November (yes on my blog!) and if I can get my ducks in a row, I will have my family play along!! How about you?? Wanna play ??!!

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot

See ya tomorrow!!

Piper ;)

Laughter :) A day of it!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken

spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

I was reminded by a friend's post on "Laughter" that I definitely need more of it in my life. I am way tooo serious on most days. I know I am, and if I didn't know that about myself,  I am reminded by my husband and my children alot. I have days where I try to be watchful of things that God has in my path. Once I read her post this morning, I began to think, hmmm?? God sure has a sense of humor (again, something my family says I don't really have) because yesterday He gave me plenty of chances to laugh.

As a Mom, I try to do things for my children.(don't laugh, you have done it or WILL do it)  Especially when they ask, or insist and especially when it seems super important. Well, a note came home from school, asking if any parents would come in and tell about their job for their Community Helpers lessons. He wanted me to come so badly!! So ok, what's 30 minutes? And, he was super excited about me coming. When you volunteer for something, you probably should ask questions instead of just saying YES. I thought (something I should not do) well 15 students. That should be easy enough. HA!!!

He tells me a nurse came one day, and then a note came home making sure I was coming, they had some no shows. (Now I know WHY?) I talked my wonderful husband into going one day, too. WELL, a couple days before it was my turn I asked how many was in his class, he said, it not just my class, its the WHOLE 1st GRADE. Very calmly I asked, "How many 1st graders are there?" Oh just 60. (Seriously? No wonder there were NOSHOWS)

60!!?? Yes, he said 60. WHAT in the WORLD was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn't . 

Ok, so I try to figure out what to say... I  mean come on, I work for a small company, so I have NUMEROUS jobs, and to a 1st grader Human Resources, Accounting, Customer Service, all that probably sounds foreign and BORING. Best part of it all, he came home on Tuesday, and a POLICEMAN came that day. How was I to follow that??? My husband tells me, well there may be a little girl in there that doesn't want to be a Policeman. (ok, he has a point) and another friend tells me, tell them you train lions for movies or ride elephants for the circus.

Really?? lol!!

Go ahead, laugh I know you want to. Just so you will know. I faired ok, I guess. There were 120 some little eyes expecting who knows what from me and I just tried to keep it simple as I could. WARNING

THOUGH... if you ever have to do this, don't take things for them to pass around, because they got distracted in a second! But, really it was fun and funny too.  I mean when it came to question time, the most popular questions were, How many boys work at your work? How many girls work at your work? Boys were happy, cause there are 22 "boys" and 9 "girls". That did crack me up!! At least Benny has  been forewarned. He is on his own now! (I am laughing as I typed that!!) So as I was leaving, I just laughed and thought, well that was FUN!! They were cute and adorable and hey, I was off work early and I was with Kea & was getting to pick up Bub!!

God has blessed us with getting to work with Children's Ministry. This time of year is CHRISTMAS PLAY time....yes, its not even Halloween and we are singing Christmas songs!! Many times I get so stressed over it, so this year I am choosing not too....(don't ask me about that the 1st week in Dec!!). Last night, God gave me a lot to laugh about, smile about.... and just get tickled over. What a blessing He gave me! From the singing,  dancing (to the beat, ha!), to the acting, really getting into their parts, the giggling, the grins, the dimples, I just soaked it all in last night and I am still smiling today at just how much God will show you when you are watchful!

Yes, laughter is good medicine. And yes, God is in every part of my life!! I am so thankful!! I am thinking I need some extra doses!!

How about you? Have you laughed today???

TRUST...whew, this is TOUGH

Not even sure what I want to say, I may just ramble but I have to post something. If not for anyone except me. So that I won't forget what God has shown me tonight. Finishing up Week 3 of One in A Million by Priscilla Shirer.

If you haven't done this study, you need to and please do it with someone that will keep you accountable. I have wanted to quit no less than 25 times. But, I know that I can't. I won't. But I want too. I know that this study is "for such a time as this" in my life. I thank God for placing it on Deidre's heart for our Fall Study. I also, have secretly decided numerous times that I should just end this friendship. Do you have that friend that just keeps you accountable no matter what? Sometimes, I (the flesh me) doesn't care to hear it. Even though its TRUTH.

Anyway, speaking of truth an exercise on Day 4, I just have to put it on here in case I lose my note card. 

Phil 4: 4, 6 &  8.

whatever is true.....

I am ~

unworthy ~ He is my REDEEMER, fear not for I have redeemed thee Isaiah 43:1

useless ~ I am a mother, wife, daughter, friend....He will never leave me

confused ~ "let me never be put to confusion" Psalm 71:1

defeated ~ God is my refuge & strength Psalm 46:1

depressed ~ the rivers shall not overflow me! Isaiah 43:2

discouraged~ He has a plan... Jeremiah 29:13

Now when I am feeling one of these on this list ... I need to fight it with TRUTH from God's word!!

(taken from One In A Million)

TRUST.....

HE IS GOD and I am NOT! Another truth... yes I know I am not God....but I can allow satan to tempt me with being a "little god". I need to learn to trust that God works on my behalf regardless of what I am facing. No matter what I should HONOR HIM.  I know that I will face trials in my life and I don't have to allow them to derail my relationship with HIM. He will make a way for me to experience HIS greatness.

Trusting God to work in my life in His ways not mine is what I am praying. His ways are HIGHER and He has so much more for me if I will TRUST HIM with all of me....not just the parts I don't think I can handle.

I need to do this

and stop struggling with many things that are keeping me from living the abundant life God has for me!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Lord this is what I desire..... Please do it or something better!!!

Praying & expecting!

Piper :)

SSMT Verse (s) Oops I am behind!!

I realized that I haven't posted # 19 or #20 on here...... Most verses that I am memorizing are picked by God... from things that He is showing me in my life, or a word that has gotten me through the day, or one that I bring reference to but just don't "know" it.....

SSMT Verse # 19

Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I was led to this verse because I do bring reference to it a lot. In the text of He knows the desires of my heart. I said it when I was praying with someone and the Lord made a point to remind me of my words. I needed to look into this more. Yes, He does know the desires of my heart, and yours too, but it also says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord." I must delight myself in Him, I must be focused, seeking, and allowing Him to guide me. Not allowing the world to have me looking to selfish desires. When I am delighting myself in Him. My desires do not look like the stuff of this world, but they are more of things of the Lord and His ways. 

 SSMT Verse # 20

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they (me) might have life, and that they (me) might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

For those of you that are in Bible Study with me right now, (One In A Million - Priscilla Shirer) this one probably sounds familier. So far I have a love/hate relationship with this study. God is showing me things that I would just rather not deal with right now. Fleshly me wants to put it down and never pick it back up. I told D I have wanted to quit 25 times.  The other part wants to dig in more & more so I can finally have that abundant life. I know that I struggle with lots of things and He is making me admit to each one, and commit to doing something about them. Easy, NOPE. Necessary? YES, if I am going to ever have that abundant life He promises. I have this on a sticky note attached to my computer...

"Do I want to stay where I am or do I want to have

the abundant life that He wants for me?

How about you? Are you living that abundant life? Do you even know what that looks like? Do you want to find out? I am not there yet, but I am definitely closer than I was a couple weeks ago!!

Until next time!!!

Piper :)

Not Enough Time.....

I know I haven't posted lately and I have meant to but, I just haven't had time....but I warned anyone reading my blog in my very first post I Am that I may not have time to post. I have wanted to post several things, and I am behind on several things.....even tonight as I am posting I can barely keep my eyes open. It has been a long weekend....birthday, band competition, our parents and our children [with exception of Matt,he had to work :( ] were over for lunch after church, and a Sing Praise service tonight filled with God given talent!!.... (3 of ours participated....which makes me a Proud Mama of children that want to praise the Lord!)
A glimpse of a fun but tiring weekend!! Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!!!

Sis & Birthday Boy!!

Amber & Baby C (a grand-blessing!!) too cute!!

Bub.... the goofy one!!!

This be the Daddy & the crazy man I am married to!

The Gang's all Here!!

This got me all teared up....... I have another video of the middle two singing, just not working right...

BUT GOD!

I know I said that I would share more about Extravagant Love Women's Retreat, but that will once again be put off for another post. Sorry.

Although this post isn't about the retreat it is defintely a story of Extravagant Love. I love the song, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow....

 I am so thankful that I can't see what tomorrow brings. I know in this season of my life as I am getting older, my parents are too. I take for granted that they will always be around. Last Tuesday, was one of my "normal" (if there is such a thing) days. I had gotten home, fixed dinner, worked on laundry, Keaton had his bath and he was on the computer and I got a text that my Dad was in the ER.  My sister then called to tell me why. Immediately, my "normal" wasn't good. I lost it before I could get off the phone.  I waited on Hubby to get home (my son was at band practice) and me & baby girl headed to the hospital. Granted it was 30 minutes away and it was already 9:30. So much went through my mind on the way there. How many times had our pastor said, "we go through life, and then in an instant everything can change" rang so true in my head. I wanted to be strong but at that point, I just needed Jesus to get me to the hospital.

When I got there the news was he wasn't doing very well, he had internal bleeding and his blood counts were low, blood pressure was low and he was in serious condition. He was have a scan when we got there and when they rolled him back into the room I knew I couldn't hold it together, BUT GOD did. (I love the BUT GOD's in my life). He was very sick and my heart sunk when I saw him. My strong, stubborn, loving, caring Daddy looked frail, and was very weak. As he received some blood (have you given lately??? I need to get back into the habit of giving!!) and platelets his color began to return and within the hour he was telling to get me and Baby girl home. (it was 1:30 am). I guess stubbornness (which is what got him there in the first place!) doesn't go away when you are in serious condition!! Finally, it wouldn't do unless we left...

Through the early morning & next day he ended up getting 6 pints of blood and more plasma. (So again I NEED to give back!!) They needed to run more tests, but couldn't until blood counts returned. I was in a fog, I was in prayer, I was asking others to pray. I knew that God had him in the palm of His hand. I was praying for the bleeding to stop and for strength for him to face what ever test they needed to run.

On Thursday morning, I got there before 9. I had prayed that I could have some time with my Daddy. BUT GOD answered that prayer & more!! No one was there. Daddy was sleeping. As I watched him sleep and watched monitor's numbers go up & down, I got out my scripture spiral and I began to pray and pray my scriptures over my Daddy. I was having the most wonderful time with my earthly Father and my Heavenly Father. After a while a sense of peace just washed over me and I knew my Daddy was going to be ok.

Later they took him for a couple procedures, hoping to find where the bleeding was coming from BUT GOD had already stopped the bleeding and they could not determine for sure where it was coming from.

Praise the Lord, he got to go home on Saturday. And when we went to see him Monday night, he was standing out on the porch waiting on us to drive up!!! PRAISE THE LORD!! I was shocked , yes, because he was so weak and frail even when I saw him on Thursday, I definitely didn't think he would be up and around quite yet.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand,

But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand!!

Life gets busy, and I fail to remember the blessings in my life. I take so much for granted. I don't like the fact that life can change in an instant, BUT GOD knows and He promises to never leave me nor forsake me!! I don't know my tomorrows, but I know the one who does!! Now that's Extravagant Love!!!

Piper :)