Monday, March 23, 2009

Happy Birthday Michelle

Wow! What an amazing year! My guys have made this a wonderful birthday. I'm tired from the amazing Prayer conference I was treated to by God and a faithful new friend (Susan) who was listening to Him to allow me to be blessed and renewed. Even though my husband forgot when we first woke up that it was my birthday he recovered later in the day by planning a surprise with my boys of me not having to help bake my own cake AND they took me out to eat Mexican food. My father also called and left me a message where he sang Happy Birthday to me. For those of you that know my dad ... I'm not sure if that was a good thing or not! Ha! He can't carry a note in a bucket ... but I must be getting old and losing my hearing as I appreciated/enjoyed it! -- Guess that must be how God feels when we lift our voices in Praise to Him whether we can sing and dance or not! PTL The boys were excited because while I was at the retreat they picked out a Bible Cover for my new Bible at the Church Bookstore to surprise me with. They're still think jewelry is the best gift for mom but they wanted to surprise me with something different. I'm just thankful that my sons are so excited about getting gifts for others. I could have done without the cool whip on/in my nose at the Mexican restaurant but my boys got a good laugh from it. (Randy too!) We were so stuffed but had to come come and have some of the chocolate cake and chocolate chip ice cream that they had surprised me with as its just not a birthday without cake and ice cream according to my sons. For the record ... I am NOT 71 years old nor 17 years old, just somewhere in between. They were very creative with how they came up with using the candles we had. (They figured my age added up equaled what the candles added up too so it would work. Creative! They think it should count as some homeschool credit ... hmm.) Randy, specially made for me Josiah, my firstborn Malachi, our final book Thanks to all of you who sent e-mail cards, messages, called, etc. I appreciated them all. I'm greatful that God allowed my mom to endure the pain of my birth all those years ago.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

The Meeting Place

God has blessed me so much in life and just recently by using a dear friend I just met a few weeks ago to take me to the Sam Houston National Forest for The Meeting Place Prayer Retreat. It was so what this Child of God, Wife, Mother, Daughter, Friend, Server and whatever else I am needed. Took me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to higher places with a yearning and excitement as the growth continues and spreads to my family and those God brings in contact with me.

Keep an eye on Creative Outreach's web site for upcoming conferences ... trust me, you don't want to miss if any way possible to go. AND if you are looking for a ministry to support with the abundance that God has provided you or want to volunteer ... pray about serving along side those God has called to serve here. Whether via prayer, internet or physical contributions ... you and this ministry will be blessed by any and all that you do for even the least of these.

On a side note, imagine how this mom felt when as soon as we drove up to our home, my husband and two sons came rushing out scrambling to see who got to give me a hug and kiss first! When you're with mom 24/7 and she doesn't go anywhere without you ... the boys definitely missed me.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

What comfort zone!?!?

Talk about taking me out of my comfort zone. Randy was subbing today for Steve at a BNI meeting today. Well at about 5 AM Randy tears out of bed to the bathroom. I thought he had overslept ... but soon I was to hear otherwise. And boy it was NOT a pretty sight ... and that's only using the hearing as my visual guide. Needless to say being the loving wife that I try to be, I got him a cool wash cloth and asked him how he was doing. When he finally was able to come back to bed I asked what he was going to do about the meeting and he promptly fell to sleep without verbally answering me. Thus, so did I. At 6:38 AM he stirs and asks why I'm not ready to go to the meeting. I'm thinking ... yeah, right. Me sub for the sub. But then I realized he was serious. I guess he had a conversation with himself while he was asleep where as he thought he had talked to me about going. Go figure, I'm a wife not a mind reader! Besides I speak hormone and he speaks testosterone. Needless to say, since he was so violently ill I got out of bed and put myself together in under 20 minutes to get out the door and on the way.

So I'm trying to mentally prep myself for this event. What a pleasure it was to exit our humble home and find some of the densest fog I've seen in a very loooonnnnggg time. Talk about someone having a sense of humor! So, I'm leaving a few minutes late, to go to a meeting I know very little about, at a location I'm not sure of, to give a "commercial" for a guy that I don't even know exactly what he does or who he works for. Yip ... that's my life!

Needless to say, I made it to the location even with some people coming in after me. Grabbed some breakfast off the buffet, found a seat, somewhat ate, breathed and definitely wondered what in the world I was doing there.

Then the meeting started. Fortunately for the visitors there (remember I'm just a sub) they explained the different areas/rolls of the networking group. Then they promptly went in to the "commercials" starting on the far side of the room. You can bet I'm praying like crazy that there will be a sub before me so I know better what I'm suppose to do ... oh yeah - and the small issue that I still am not exactly sure what Steve does except that it is some type of insurance. Now here's absolute proof there is a God (for anyone that has ever doubted) ... they have a box that each of the members has a tab with their business cards in front of. Wonders of wonders they started it on my side of the room. (See I told you there was a God.) So thanks to the great resourcefulness I was either blessed with or have learned through all the other times of being pushed out of my comfort zone ... I purposely went through the box looking for Steve's card to see exactly what he does. Proof that I still have a lot of learning to do -- I got that he did health insurance but missed who for. While frantically looking for his card I kind of missed being able to fully focus on the sub ... who was to be my example of what to do/say. Oops!

Okay, now like I'm really going to be able to listen to what all these people are saying while my mind is going 90-to-nothing trying to figure out what I'm going to say in not one but TWO commercials. (At least I know what my husband does ... kind of!) They had some well-organized and rehearsed members there with some clever commercials. (Maybe that's why I'm NOT a member and hadn't been invited to go as a visitor before ... you think?) PTL I didn't have to give one for me - the sub that was subbing for the sub of the member! Needless to say, I got the commercials out and back in my seat without any major mishaps.

WheeWhoo!! All this before 8 AM ... it's been years since my life had that type of networking business type detail in it ... I mean YEARS! Pre-marriage even! (Was there even life before marriage? Oh yeah - thanks to Facebook I'm recalling some of it.) And to imagine I used to live that way on full thrust 24/7. What was I ever thinking!?! No wonder I have such amazing natural "highlights" in my hair.

It definitely got my heart pumping and after coming home and checking on my sicklings ... I had an amazing study time. Of course it was down by the lake after the fog cleared. Could it get much better?

Talk about a great day!

So, when's the last time you were taken out of your comfort zone?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Sun is Shining and its a great day!

Wow ... after so many days of rain and cool weather ... I'm loving this sunshine. I'm also loving the ever present SONshine in my life.

I have such a sense of excitement just pouring out from inside. I'm seeing God moving in little ways that are appearing to be like little seeds that have been buried under the soil when they start to poke their way up to the sunshine and start their growth above ground.

God has given Randy & I a vision a few years ago of what is to come and how we are to serve Him and His missionaries. I thought it would be in the distant future before we would see anything start ... but my God sense is bringing me awareness of some of the smallest details that I think are part of the bigger picture. It's just so EXCITING! Can you tell?

It's been quite a ride on this journey thus far and we're not anywhere done with the ride yet. It's like being on a roller coaster when you're screaming, laughing and crying all at the same time, wanting the ride to end but then again not. What an amazing God who loves us so to give us such a pallet full of emotions that span so many areas.

May your day be filled with unending tiny blessings surrounding you with the SONshine.

Monday, March 16, 2009

FACEBOOK

I can't believe ... I finally did it. I finally joined FACEBOOK. Not sure what I'm doing but having a blast coming across people who I've not seen in a long time, many in more years than seems possible. Will have to make sure that I use my time according to God's will as I can see how it would be easy for Satan to get a hold of the time and use it to keep me too busy to hear God's voice or calling to action according to His will. I'm anxious to see how it goes as I think God may very well use it to further His plans in the vision He has given Randy and I several years ago. Something big is getting ready to happen as I'm feeling the excitement welling up inside that only God could have put there. Makes the last few months more bearable and make more sense - if that's possible.

If you Facebook ... look me up!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Soiree at The C.H.O.P.

Last night I had the priviledge of getting to go to the Soiree at The C.H.O.P. My friend Shannan (whom God brought in to my life through our Sunday School Class - Common Grounds at the Ark) and I were blessed with leaving our blessed sons with my husband in our 5th wheel while we went to check this out. Neither one of us had ever been to the C.H.O.P. nor knew what the soiree was to entail. But we were adventurous ... or maybe desperate moms needing a diversion? ... and joyously subjected ourselves to this mission of discovery.

What a wonderful discovery! The setting and decorations were so warm and welcoming. The purpose behind the C.H.O.P. (Conroe House of Prayer) even more of a blessing. This evening was specifically to allow people to meet and socialize while finding out more about Compassion United. It was wonderful to get to meet other people from around the area and to run in to some that I knew from the Ark Family Church.

They are constantly growing and developing as God leads them and donations come in to support. They have just added local artist goods to be sold with at least a portion if not all of the proceeds going to support local charities in the community.

I am anxious to be able to go back and check out the setting on a "regular" (if there is such a thing in a world directed by God's unending love, grace and ... sense of humor) night of worship or day fellowship. I think my family will enjoy it too.

It was a joy getting to meet and spend some time with Robyn as she shared the vision God has given her and her husband. The setting was such that it allowed Shannan and I to be able to sit and share some of life experiences that God has graciously loved and carried us through. Helps to keep things in perspective and amazingly enough give motivation to stay focused as we journey along God's path for our lives.

All in all, it was a successful night. C.H.O.P. is definitely a great place to be able to meet and share with others or just spend time in prayer worshiping him or listening to live music when available from local musicians. And ... Randy and the four boys were all happy campers when we returned home ... well the boys would have preferred to have had a sleepover but that will come another night.

Where do you go to have some time spent with friends or others socialing and/or worshiping the Lord? We're always looking for ideas and new things to try or implement around us.

Friday, March 13, 2009

EASTER STORY COOKIES

To be made the evening before Easter.

You need:

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch salt

1 cup sugar

zipper baggie

heavy wooden spoon

tape

A Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important! Don't wait until you're half done with the recipe!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us eternal life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

NOW GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9

Share "The Easter Cookie Story" With Your Friends.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Myers Moments

And they are back from Georgia ... temporarily. So ... the boys and I find ourselves going to Waelder with Kim and Dakota for an overnight trip. We met up in Cypress at Mitch and Tammy's then headed on our way. Time sure does fly when you are traveling with friends. We arrived at the Myers' Homestead, unloaded and got some toys out before Kim headed to town to run some errands and pick up Kallen and Boston for the night. The boys enjoyed playing on the Gator, 4-wheeler, scooters, trampoline and sand pile. When Kallen and Boston got there we added even more fun. Kallen trying to keep up with the big guys and Boston with that ever present, beautiful smile of his. It was such a pleasurable time. Once we moved in to the house to prep for bed I got the honor of snuggling with Kallen and Boston on the couch. What a privilege. Oops! I also accidentally shut the front door and turned off the porch light ... with Kim still out there. Never fear ... her lungs worked well and I heard her pretty darn quick! Of course the discovery of their new "pets" in the house was not quite a relaxing things. Fortunately Scruffles, the puppy, kept us aware when the "pets" were on the move ... except the one that ran across where the boys and I were ... under the covers with us. Needless to say, Scruffles slept IN the bed with them the rest of the night and no more "pet" visitors in their bed. PTL! It was way too short of a visit for everyone but we had things to do and places to be to be ready for the big 80th birthday party coming up for Bobbie and Larry.