Quiet and waiting

And here's a very good summary of where I am right now ... sometimes the not being shaken is hard. Where are you in your life journey? Do you have a verse or book of the Bible or something that is encouraging you that you'd like to share?

Psalm 62:5-7 "My soul is quiet and waits for God alone. My hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and the One Who saves me. He is my strong place. I will not be shaken."

Post a comment or send me an e-mail and I will add any prayer requests to my prayer time. I love to hear from all of you. We can learn from each of our journeys. The author, J. M. Hochstetler interview on February 25th at This, That & The Other Thing is an amazing testimony and very encouraging for all. If you haven't checked out go do so now.

Blessings as you enter into the weekend!

FREE Drawings for Wind of The Spirit!!!

This is an AMAZING book even if you are not a history buff. It's the fourth book in the series so I highly recommend getting all of them. For all you newbies to the Author J. M. Hochstetler ... you have got it made being able to read all four books without having to wait for them to come out. Talk about hanging on the edge of your seat! I'm SOOOOOOOOOO ready to get my hot little hands on my copy. I'll definitely be pulling an all nighter to get it read. (Seems to be the case with ALL her books! I started with her book One Holy Night ... put it down three times but was drawn back to it within an hour each time ... didn't get any sleep til it was done.) You must go check it out. You can get it direct from Sheaf House. It’s also available for pre-order on CBD and Barnes and Noble. CBD ordered their initial copies way back in November or December, and since they’re finally in the warehouse, the distributor should start fulfilling orders soon.

Hey, Joan has interviews coming up on several different blogs during the next few weeks. Here’s a schedule so you can check them out! Each blog is offering a drawing for a free copy of Wind of the Spirit, so comment on the post and you’ll be entered!

February 25, Yesterday! Joan was guest blogging about dreams on Jennifer AlLee’s blog This, That, and the Other Thing. Head on over right now for a shot at a free copy!

February 26 Lena Nelson Dooley, A Christian Writer’s World

March Afictionado E-zine

March TBD Tyora Moody ChristianBookwormReviews.com

March 5 Novel Journey

March 10 Favorite PASTimes

March 12, 8:15 a.m. KREJ 101.7 FM Kelly Long Proverbs 31 Wannabe Club (The station covers southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma; call in to enter: 620-886-3537)

March 13 Amber Stockton Spotlight Interview. Hope baby doesn’t come early!

March 15 Wind of the Spirit is featured this week on Christian Authors Network You’ve Got Books fiction blog.

Thoughtful Thursday

Thoughts to ponder from the sewer challenge. If we are like the round disk with a pilot hole drilled in our middle are we ...

A) Living our lives in such a way that we are blocking the hole completely shut that God is wanting to use to ... okay this may be a bad pun ... allow our blessings and lights to flow threw?

B) Living our lives so that we are wedged in to the opening allowing some blessings and light to flow around us ... that is until we let the clutter from our choices, the day to day living or the secular worlds input slow us down to a trickle or eventually even close us off?

or

C) Living our lives in such a way that despite our human side we are able to continue to seek His will and allow His light to shine through us thus not stenting God's flow from above?

Thoughts to ponder on the repair side ...

Are we seeking God's help in getting us back on track allowing him to come in with a sawsall and cut out the parts that need to be so He can reach in and cleanse all the blockage and junk then put us back together again as a new creation? This can be messy but a very effective and complete restoration to total peace.

Or

Are we sorta seeking help from God and only allowing him to attempt to "back flush" our lives temporarily pushing the obstruction partially out of the way only to have it settle back in place again sometimes even causing more blockage. This is a continual process that can get quite time intensive, costly and be very messy and uncomfortable at some of the most inopportune times.

Or

Are we constantly filling our lives with positive, Christ-like words, thoughts, music, influences, relationships, activities, etc so as to keep our "pipes" cleaned from the sludge and build up and our light shining brightly?

We have freedom of will ... what choices are you making? What needs to be done in your life to help you to be all that you can be?

Finally ...

Mom was released this afternoon from the hospital after admitting her after Tony & Cheri's wedding on Valentine's ... AND .... I finally got the photos uploaded and created a group room for any and all to view, add photos and leave messages for Tony & Cheri. Thanks for the prayers for my mom and ... Enjoy the pictures!

Stinky Job

We have battled sewer issues every since we had our tank worked on back in Georgia. And let me tell you ... not having a bathroom, especially when it's cold and dark outside and a walk to the outhouse ... is not a thrill. Well, today is the day it all hit the fan. Randy finally got tired of having to backflush the tank to try to get it open enough to at least get liquids to drain. Generally this would have to be done when it was cold and yucky outside ... but today has turned in to a beautiful, sunny day. Thus with the whole family assisting we added Sewer 101 to our class agenda today. What you can't do with a little determination, a Dewalt sawsall and a 3" Fernco coupling! Needless to say, the culprit was the round plastic piece that was created when the manufacture drilled the hole into the black tank to hook it up where they proceeded to leave the piece inside the tank. You'd think as much problems as this can cause they would drill a mid-size hole then a second hole the size of the pipe to prevent this from being able to block the opening when they are leaving it in the tank. Ours is not the first story of such and I'm sure not the last. But hopefully the last time for us!

Wish all of life's stinky issues were this easy to solve.

Two Choices

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway.. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Have you been given an opportunity to let your "light" shine and touch someone's life? Did you do it - especially if there was a sacrifice involved? We'd love to hear from you. Here's to keeping our eyes, ears and mind open to God's leading and allowing our "light" to shine through and making the world a better place to live in.

From Wedding to ... St. Joseph ER

When Randy & the boys and I got to Mom & Dad's home after helping cleaning up the church after the wedding my plans of getting supper out for all the family that came to town turned in to taking mom to Via Christi St. Joseph Emergency Room where she was finally admitted. She had pushed too hard and ended up totally exhausted and fighting a respiratory illness. The labs found her potassium to be low as well as her platelets but the CT showed no knew damage from a stroke or anything. PTL! Fortunately all those at the house took a family picture with all the grandchildren and great grandchildren in it along with Uncle Lee & Gpa Brown. Can you pick them all out? From Back Row, Left to Right: Mike Williams (Corynn's), Corynn, Uncle Lee, Michal Mercedes, Hunter (Michal's), Amber & Owen (Tyrel's family), Tony Hayes (Michal's), Gpa Brown. Front Row: Brodie (Chelsey's), Chelsey, Kyler (Chelsey's), Bennie (Corynn's), Tyrel, Malachi, Josiah, Reilly (Corynn's). The only grandchild missing is our amazing Dano!

Uncle Tony & Aunt Cheri's Wedding

Well, they are finally married. It was a beautiful wedding. Check back later and I'll have a link so you can view all the pictures from the wedding. Continue to pray for them as they start their ministry as one with Ministry Among Native Americans.

We are so thankful that God allowed us to be able to make the journey and be a part of this part of their life journey. God is so good!

ADDENDUM: Here's the wedding pictures link ... drop by, leave them a message and enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Nothing like a little chocolate sweetness to express the great love God gave us for each other. May your day be full of blessings! Stay tuned for pictures from Uncle Tony's wedding later today.

Do What?

Okay ... just a quickie as that's all the notice we are getting. This morning we had finally told the boys that for whatever reason the funds weren't there for us to go to Kansas for Uncle Tony's wedding. Needless to say we were all bummed and with the added illness we're fighting it seems even lower. Well, Randy called at a little after 4:00 PM and asked if we could get packed as our wood splitter had sold so we had fuel money to get us to Kansas. We were going to the wedding! BUT ... we have to leave ASAP to be able to get as much done as possible while we were in Kansas as he has to be back to work Monday morning. Needless to say 3 hours later we were packed and on the road to Kansas. With driving all night our ETA is 4:30 AM if we don't have to pull over to sleep.

Helping Hands

With everyone sick, Randy and I decided to give the boys a break in the responsibility of their dogs and walk the dogs last night before going to bed. Walking the dogs around the lake is a very relaxing, peaceful experience. (I wonder if that is why so many of Jesus' teachings were on or near water? It'd work for me!) Last night it provided an extra benefit. As we were on the far side of the marina I heard a boat having problems getting started. Randy went to check on them. It was two gentlemen and a young child with a boat that wouldn't start and had fortunately been caught by one of the walls in the marina before drifting further out in the huge lake. I suggested we tie their rope on the front of the boat and walk it through and around the marina over to the boat ramp as the current was to hard to paddle it over - they'd tried. After many laughs and quite a while later we finally got the boat pulled over to the loading ramp loaded on the trailer. It was an ongoing joke whether it was easier to walk a boat or walk Frisco - our puppy who is very anxious to go when he's on the leash. I honestly think it's easier to do the boat ... but the verdicts still out.

Needless to say, it sure left a good feeling in a physically yucky feeling day with being able to help others and live our hands on faith. I'm thankful God chose us to help them and that we were in tune with Him and opened minded to help even though our physical bodies weren't in the best of shape. In today's world it's so easy just to "turn your other cheek" and go on like you didn't see or notice the need... God is so faithful and oh the joys that come with being faithful to Him.

Snuggle Day 3

And it continues ... Malachi is feeling some better and is actually trying to eat today. As bizarre as this seems ... I'm absolutely loving just snuggling with my guys, at least the little ones (they're not quite so cranky when they're sick!). It's been a great time to just unwind and focus on God and all the amazing things He has done and is doing in our lives. We're still waiting to see if we get to go home to Kansas for Uncle Tony's long awaited wedding ... but if the funds don't come in and the health doesn't improve then obviously God has something else planned for us as hard as it will be to miss this extra special day. We've been a part of this courtship when it began as a friendship. Good thing is, they don't need us to get married - only God. This living by faith is actually a lot less stressful when you are focused on God. He can do so much in and through us if we allow it and don't get wrapped up in the secular "how it should be" philosophy. Yes, it would be nice to have the finances in hand but it's even better knowing God will always provide far better than we can.

Snuggle Day 2

What a beautiful and glorious day God has given us today! The sun is shining and it is warm outside ... as well as inside our home. Today finds all my guys (Randy, Josiah & Malachi) running fevers. Randy & Malachi have the respiratory side of the flu and Josiah got the stomach side. PTL! I've just had the headache and stomachache.

However, I find myself again today with having three (3) sick, emotionally needy pondering how much God loves us as He has a whole world of people who are needy that He loves on 24/7. What an amazing God we serve!

Snuggle Day

I have so many points that I ponder that I'm pondering a ponder day on the blog.

Today finds Malachi, my youngest blessing from God, running a high fever and absolutely miserable. He's fine as long as he has some part of him touching me ... even if it's just my hand or leg resting on his foot. Good thing is, I have set my goal and plans today on snuggling with him today and anything else I get done is an added blessing. That way I don't get frustrated with what "I" thought was suppose to happen or needed to be done. God ultimately knows.

I find myself in amazement and awe when I put this situation in God's perspective. I.E., me as the needy child and He as the loving parent who sets aside all just to be there touching me as I go through my day. What a relief to know that He does this for me every day of my life and I don't have to be ill!

Breathe

Okay ... after a little over four (4) months with no earned income from Randy's straight commission job ... our family is celebrating as we got some commission pay! PTL!! After paying tithe the remainder basically covered our lot rent but God has provided and proven that so over the past months. He's not going to stop now or ever. He promises to provide and care for His children and never fails us even when we are attempting to spend some time in what the world terms as "the Terrible Two's".

Guess I need to remember this life lesson as our sons grow in Christ and prepare for adulthood. It's good to have your parents to provide but when you earn it with your own work it brings good feelings and self-worth.