2009 Goals: Checking in #2

I didn't do a "checking in" post last month so I thought I would now that we have arrived at the end of March already!

--prayer. As I mentioned before, I have really enjoyed using a prayer journal.

--Bible study. I finished a Women of Faith study guide called "Contagious Joy." Right now I'm reading Real Moms Real Jesus by Jill Savage.

--budget. We're staying on track with this. We have two more weeks of FPU.

--book reading. I have too many books started right now! :) I have not been checking books for me out at the library. I'm reading through some of my personal books I've won or bought.

--laugh. Today I was reminded of this goal when Caleb burst into laughter at the billboard of Ronald McDonald. He is great to have around to remind me to laugh!

--verse memorization. The Proverbs have been great to memorize. Caleb is enjoying it too I think.

--be earth friendly. It makes me smile to use reusable bags when I do the grocery shopping and I don't have to have any plastic bags. I am finally remembering to put them back in the trunk so they are there anytime to use, not just on grocery shopping day. I've been using a bag for other trips too, like at Walgreens or dollar store.

--organize/declutter. I need to work on the kitchen drawers.

--get to bed earlier. We have done better at this (sometimes).
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"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is." Psalm 34:8, MSG

2009 Book #12: Sisterchicks Go Brit!

I won the book Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn from fellow blogger Sheri at The Leaking Window. It has been in my stack of books I want to read and I finally did.

Two friends, Kellie and Liz, take a trip to London with a little lady Opal that they had met one day in a coffee shop. The trip is an inspiring and eye opening experience for all three of them. Opal stays with her sister Rose while Kellie and Liz visit some sights. They learn that things don't always go as planned but that God directs them every step of the way.

I I had not read any Sisterchicks books before but enjoyed it and will look for more to read. Thanks, Sheri, for this book!
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"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart." Jeremiah 24:7

It's a Grand NEW DAY!

I am very thankful to the generosity of the ladies at Laced with Grace who hosted a giveaway for Women of Faith tickets back in the fall. I was surprised and excited when I won. I chose to go to the conference in Shreveport this past weekend. Where can I even begin to share about the weekend?

We left home Friday morning. My Mom attended the conference with me and my hubby was our driver. The theme for the conference this year is "A Grand New Day." We got to the conference center about noon, just in time for our lunch and to hear the start of the next session. We enjoyed singing from Sandi Patty and lessons by Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patty (I loved her talk), and Steve Arterburn. The boys picked us up when the session was over, and we visited the Boardwalk for supper. Caleb also got to make a bear at Build A Bear workshop. This was great fun to watch his excitement as he picked his bear and outfit. (More on this later in another post.) We went back to the conference in the evening for an amazing concert by Stephen Curtis Chapman as well as a lesson with Patsy Clairmont. She is so funny!


Saturday morning we were back for another blessed time with Lisa Harper, Sheila Walsh, Lisa Whelchel (from Facts of Life), Allison Allen. Our afternoon started with Mandisa (wow can this girl sing!) and then more from Marilyn Meberg and Lisa Harper finished her lesson.


I'd never heard any of these speakers before so it was quite a treat to learn from them all. God really used them to speak to my heart. I plan to share more over the coming weeks little tidbits I gained and hope will bless your life as well if I can get those things into words. The theme verse for the weekend was so fitting for the Grand New Day theme. You can see it below (Lamentations 3:22, 23).


Again I'd like to say thank you to Laced with Grace for this opportunity. My Mom and I both enjoyed our Women of Faith conference experience more than words can say.

***Please note the two posts below: one for prayer requests and one about a Laced with Grace giveaway. Thank you.***
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"The Lord's love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning." Lamentations 3:22, 23 NCV

Prayer requests

I have some prayer requests I will be adding to my side bar but wanted to make a separate post for them for you to join with me in praying for these families.

~ a family friend Lesly. This young mother found an enlarged lymph node under her arm. She is going to have tests this week. Pray for her peace because she has had problems previously.

~ Sage's family. Little Sage passed away suddenly, only 8 months old. Pray for this family.

~ Stellan. I know many of you are praying for Stellan but I wanted to share his story for those of you who don't know. There is a group set up on Facebook too if you haven't joined that yet.

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"...Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:17, 18

Laced with Grace Giveaway

I read about this wonderful giveaway hosted by Laced With Grace. I'm a past winner and wanted to share this giveaway with you! Go by and leave a comment to try to win a great prize package including a Veggie Tale DVD, Resurrection eggs, journal, Fireproof novel, and two versions of Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. These ladies are so generous! You will also be blessed by their daily devotional thoughts.

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #13

I am posting this in advance since I'll be out of town this weekend.

Here is the new verse for the week ahead:

Proverbs 8:10, 11
"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with her."

Do you have a prayer request this week? I will update the prayer list when we get back.

Have a wonderful week! Thanks for visiting today. May you be blessed!

fPhoto Friday

This is not my picture! I don't know if the "rules" say to use your own pictures. This one was so beautiful, I had to share it! My Mom took this picture of one of her tulips this week. I told her I wanted to share it and she agreed. I may have more next week. I put this one as my computer background, it looks really nice enlarged on the screen.

I love the beauty of springtime. It is so neat to me to read verses about the seasons and how God has His hand on the changing of the seasons. I'm so glad He gave us spring!

Have a great Friday!

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"The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down." Psalm 104:19

Thankful Thursday: Random

I was happy when I read the theme this week chosen by Lynn was "random" because I already had in my head what I wanted to write this week for my Thankful Thursday post!

Lately I've been seeing something repeated in my life. When this happens I usually know God is wanting to show me something. Our preacher preached on being thankful two Sundays ago. Last Sunday our small group meeting was about thankfulness and having a grateful heart. In one of my books I'm reading (Love as a Way of Life) I just finished the chapter on courtesy and how thankfulness ties into being showing love through courteous actions. Wednesday night in my 4th/5th grade Bible class we were studying Genesis 8 about Noah after they came out of the ark. What did Noah do? He made an altar and made an offering before God. We talked about Noah's thankfulness that God saved him and his family in the ark.

What can I learn from all of this? Obviously, I need to be thankful! That is why I'm so thankful to have Thankful Thursday every week. At our small group I told the others what a blessing it is to stop and give thanks on Thursdays. I am so encouraged to read the thankful hearts of others too. No matter what kind of week you've had you still give thanks and that encourages me, thank you.

I've started asking on my Facebook status for my friends to tell me what they are thankful for on Thursdays. I've had a few who participate and it's always interesting to hear what they say. I like to spread the idea of thankfulness! We all need some bright spots amidst all the negativity around us. So if you are on Facebook come leave a comment to tell me one of your blessings.

Here are some of my blessings this week:

~ my husband, he is just so great!!

~ my sweet son's cheery, loving nature. You know the little saying "I love you a bushel and a peck, I love you a hug around the neck." Caleb has been doing that with little motions he made up. It just melts my heart!!

~ being able to go to the Taste of Home Cooking School

~ Rain!! It is funny how people talk about needing rain so badly and then when it is raining they gripe about it! We need it desperately here so I'm thankful to see the recent showers.

~ my upcoming Women of Faith weekend. I AM SO EXCITED!

Please join us in giving thanks today by visiting Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Have a wonderful day!
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"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22

Taste of Home Cooking School

Growing up my Mom received Taste of Home magazines. Now my Mom often gives me Taste of Home cookbooks as a gift. I have a growing collection! I've seen the Taste of Home cooking school advertised the past few years when it came to our area but never attended until this year. I invited a friend to go with me and we enjoyed the cooking demonstration.

As we entered we were greeted with fun gift bags full of coupons, magazines, and other freebies. Throughout the evening they gave away a ton of door prizes (which I didn't win). The cooking demonstration lasted a couple of hours with an intermission half-way through. We watched as our "culinary specialist" prepared a variety of recipes with everything from appetizers to main dish treats.

I have looked through one of the magazines and found a couple recipes I want to try. One is Mexican Lasagna. Another is Chocolate Drops. I will share the recipes when I make them.
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"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13

As long as it is called Today: Update!

Since I did not have "As long as it is called Today" for three weeks this month, I have decided to wait and start back up at the beginning of April. Right now I think I'll move it from Friday to Tuesday with a link at the top of the blog for anyone to answer the question all week. That is my thought at this point at least. Thanks!

2009 Book #11: The Real Enemy

I have been excited to share this new book The Real Enemy by Kathy Herman. Recently I had a "friend request" for Kathy Herman on my Facebook account. I didn't recognize the name so I emailed to ask how I knew her. Well it turns out I didn't know her. She told me about herself and I was excited to find out she is an author. She offered to send me her new book and I was thrilled! I couldn't wait to read it. I made myself finish the last one first though before getting into this one. This is one of those I-love-it-and-can't-put-it-down-because-I-need-to-find-out-what-happens books.


Brill Jessup is the new police chief in Sophie Trace. She thinks she'll have less stress in this small town compared to her previous job in Memphis. Citizens begin disappearing though without any apparent connection. Some of the citizens blame the legend of the "red shadows" for the disappearances, which is the media focus rather than the facts. If thinks at work aren't stressful enough, Brill is harboring deep resentment and bitterness towards her husband, which is tearing her family apart.


If you enjoy reading suspense and a good mystery, I recommend this book to you. The reader can relate to all of the characters, and the plot will have you flipping pages to find out what happens. I look forward to what happens next for Brill and her family in book #2. I'm happy to have another author on my list I love reading!
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The theme verse for the book:

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #12

Caleb did two verses with me this week. We talked about how God sees everything (from the verse from last week) no matter where we are or what we're doing. For this week I only had him remember the part about lying. Thank you to Sheri who wrote this verse using seven things the Lord would want us to do. You can read it in the comments if you missed it.

This week's memory verse is Proverbs 7:2--

"Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye."

Please let me know if you have a prayer request this week. I will be praying for:

~ Jill Savage's daughter Erica. Read more on her blog.

~ One of my dear friends (my lifelong, forever friend!) got a job in a nearby city. I'm SO thrilled to be able to see her more often. Pray for her to have a smooth move and smooth transition to her new job.

Song: I Will Rise

One day I was driving home to meet my husband to go see Mammaw. This song "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin came on KLOVE. I realized it was also on my ipod. It really blessed and comforted me to hear and fit Mammaw's situation so well. I was thankful to have this song as well as others that blessed us so much during this time.



Praise God that the victory is won!

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11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!" Revelation 5:11-13

Odds and ends...

I wanted to do an update on some various things from the recent past.


First, I have decided to move "As long as it is called Today" to a different day. I have wanted to change the day and now seems a good time since I've missed the past few weeks. I'll pick back up with the questions this coming Tuesday so stay tuned for that.

Next, I told you in my posts last week about Caleb's "preciousness" during our time at the hospital as we were saying good bye to Mammaw.

During one of our times in the waiting room we'd gotten word that Mammaw was worse. I told Caleb that we didn't know if Mammaw was going to be with us much longer and that God might think it's time to take her to Heaven. He thought a minute and asked if they'd have to take her body outside. I said no, God will just take her. He said maybe the angels will take her.

We talked freely with him about her going to Heaven. I told her she wouldn't be sick anymore and could run and play now. I tried to explain to him that we would bury her body but she got a new body in Heaven so she doesn't need the old one anymore.

He talks about Heaven and I can tell he's been pondering it. He told his grandfather in the waiting room that Mammaw was going to Heaven soon and he does have a real sister in Heaven and Mommy's dad (he meant grandpa Peepaw) went to Heaven already. It was all very sweet to hear him talk about.

We were gathered one night with the family to eat and Caleb said the prayer. It was just beautiful. He said help us Lord. You know we are sad because Mammaw went to Heaven. Then after the funeral we gathered at Mammw's house to eat again. He prayed then too. His boldness always surprises me. Sometimes at bedtime he says he doesn't want to pray but both of these times he just let out these beautiful heartfelt prayers. It was so touching to hear him.

Today is the first day of spring! This time of year is always exciting to me. It has been beautiful here all week. We plan to do something as a family. It has been nice getting back into the routine at home this week. Caleb and I are having a lazy day at home today after finishing up some chores Thursday.

Have a great weekend!
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"And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.' And it was so." Genesis 1:14, 15

Thankful Thursday: Happy birthday Mom!

Since today is my Mom's birthday I thought I'd type this Thankful Thursday about her.

I'm thankful to have such a special Mom who is also such a dear friend.

I'm thankful for the love and support she gives me and my family (as she did this week at the funeral by sitting in the lobby with Caleb and also going with us to his dental appointment).

I'm thankful for her love of my husband and the way she treats him as her own child.

I'm thankful for the sweet relationship she has with Caleb, she is Caleb's Gramma!

I'm thankful for her life and her celebrating her 50th birthday today!

I'm thankful for how she always helps me anyway she can. When I was in school she'd help me study for tests and volunteered at my school. When I was a teacher she helped out in my classroom periodically.

I'm thankful for her prayers. She always prayed with me before school everyday. She continues to pray for me and my family.

Happy birthday Mom. I love you!

Join us today for Thankful Thursday by visiting Lynn. Thank you for stopping by Raindrops & Rainbows.
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"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders." Psalm 9:1

Real Moms....Real Jesus

I was totally blessed to read another book (Professionalizing Motherhood) by this wonderful author, Jill Savage, last year. I have been following her blog since then I guess. I'm excited to begin reading her newest book. Read below more information about this gifted author and speaker. You will be blessed! (I may be having a give away of this book coming up in the near future so stay tuned.) It is a privilege to be part of this blog tour for this new book. I was supposed to post last week on the 10th but it totally slipped my mind during our time at the hospital. I was thankful for them to let me post this week instead so I could still participate!

Today I’d like to welcome author and speaker, Jill Savage. Jill’s recent book Real Moms…Real Jesus, just released, and I wanted to ask her about her real mom moments..

Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia---the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms…Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade.

Tell us about your newest book Real Moms...Real Jesus?

Real Moms…Real Jesus is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don’t often think about the fact that he was a human being and he lived the full human experience: pain, hunger, fatigue, frustration, betrayal, disappointment. He experienced it all!

There’s one verse in the Bible about Jesus that simply says “large crowds followed him everywhere he went.” Well, isn’t that the life of a mom? Large crowds follow her to the bathroom. They follow her to the kitchen. To the grocery store. She’s in high demand! And when Jesus lived on this earth, He was in high demand, too.

Why did you want to write this book?

Most of us long for a friend who understands. Yes, we need girlfriends who understand what our life is like. But we also need to understand that we have a friend who understands in Jesus. Too many of us think of God as being distant and unable to relate to our daily struggles. But nothing could be further from the truth! He understands and he wants us to build our friendship with Him. He wants to not only be our Savior, but also our Friend.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?

I hope that readers will gain a new perspective about their relationship with Jesus. I also hope to weave God’s truth into the daily life of a mom.

What unique elements will the reader find in Real Moms…Real Jesus?

Each chapter looks at some character trait in Jesus’ life that can help us in our life as a mom. In between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into our real, messy, busy lives.

There are also questions at the end of the chapter for further consideration and suggested Bible reading in the book of Matthew. If the reader chooses to pursue the suggested reading, she will have read the book of Matthew completely by the end of the book!

There is also a leader’s guide in the back of the book so it can be used in a group setting.

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?

Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!

Any closing thoughts?
I am very excited about this book! I believe that if a mom can strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ, she will feel more equipped to be the mom she wants to be. I’m also offering an online book discussion on my blog beginning Tuesday, April 7. If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe to my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

I’d love to hear a reader’s thoughts after they read the book, too! You can connect to me through my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

Thanks, Jill, for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your real mom, real Jesus moments with us.

You can purchase your own copy of Real Moms…Real Jesus by clicking here.

And be sure to check out Hearts at Home, their conferences for moms, and all their online resources here.

Wonderfully enjoyable video for toddlers/preschoolers

I was excited to receive The Read & Share DVD Bible Volume 1 from Thomas Nelson. My four year old son was excited to watch it with me!

The Read & Share DVD is 13 Bible stories told in short 3 minute format. It starts in the beginning with Creation. Many Old Testament favorites like Adam and Eve and the Flood are included as well as a few from the New Testament like John the Baptist and Jesus’ birth. The cartoons are fun to watch, and the narrator in the background has a pleasant voice to hear. Extras are included on the DVD such as a behind the scenes look as well as interviews with kids.

Due to the condensed version of this series, obviously some details had to be omitted from the stories. I felt the right things were included though to tell the stories accurately for young children to understand and be able to follow along. The language used is very appropriate and understandable to a child’s vocabulary, which is another thing I appreciate about this video.

My son thoroughly enjoyed watching this with me. I look forward to the next volume from Thomas Nelson. I would recommend these videos for a family with young children. They are also appropriate to supplement Bible class lessons.

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #11

I mentioned the memory verse to Caleb last week as we were driving, but I will enforce it more this week with him as well as add the one from this week.


This week's verse is actually three verses together. This list always catches my attention when I read and thought it would be good to memorize to remember not to do things things that are detestable to our Lord.


The passage is Proverbs 6:16-19--


"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies,
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."


Do you have anything I can pray about with you this week?


I must say a big thank you to everyone who has been lifting up our family in prayer. We continue to appreciate your prayers this week as we have the family visitation Sunday night and Mammaw's services Monday afternoon.


Also, please pray for Caleb. He has his dental appointment on Wednesday to put caps on his teeth where the dentist found the cavities between his teeth. Pray for this to go smoothly and for us as parents to be okay too.

2009 Book #10: A Voice in the Wind

I have read a few books by Francine Rivers. I just finished A Voice in the Wind last week. I found myself with lots of reading time while waiting at the hospital. Maybe this book should count as double since it is 500 pages!

This is just an amazing story. The book begins at the fall of Jerusalem when the main character Hadassah loses her entire family. This book is her story. She is taken as a slave to Rome and serves a wealthy family there. She grows to love this family and tries to reach out to them with the love of Christ, even though she could be killed for professing to be a Christian. I learned so much from her character--she was a true servant, she struggles with how to witness to her master and family. I wondered as I read if I could ever serve with such faith and dedication.

A friend loaned me her copy of the book. It took me a while to finish this. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and actually I was surprised how quickly I got into it when I started reading it over the Christmas holidays. Now I'll have to read book #2 in the series.
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"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15

fPhoto Friday

Last week during some of our trips to the hospital we drove around for Caleb to rest and nap in the car. We stopped at a park a couple of days. One day it was so beautiful and we let him out to go play when he woke up. I just love the pictures I took that day.

Also, it is a nice picture to post on this Friday for my husband's birthday. I'm so thankful for him and the wonderful husband and daddy he is. Happy birthday sweetie! I love you!

Thankful Thursday: Mammaw

I am thankful for so many things this week. If you read previous posts you can find out what's been going on in our lives.

March 11, 2009 Mammaw (my husband's dear grandmother) went home to be with Jesus. We know she is at peace and rejoicing in heaven. It does bring comfort. She has always been such a strong woman. We got a call about 2:30 in the morning that her breathing patterns had changed and the nurse again thought she would go soon. We expected to get a call back that she was gone. She hung on till lunchtime, though, when her three daughters and her younger grandson were out of the room.

This week has been a week of learning experiences for me. I have so much to be thankful for and am glad for a chance to be part of Thankful Thursday. In so many ways I saw God's hand the past week.

* I am thankful for Mammaw and the life she lived, the example she was. She was so very special to my husband for his whole life. They had a special grandparent/grandchild relationship. He introduced me to her on his birthday weekend. After meeting me one time she introduced me to someone as her future granddaughter. I guess Mammaw's just know these things. :) That was always a special memory for me.

* I am thankful for all the people who have prayed for us and shown support for the family. I've seen people reaching out with hugs, prayers, calls, emails, and visits. Some have already brought food too. It makes you thankful for friends and thankful people care during a time like this.

* I am thankful for my dear sweet husband. Pray for him. Friday will be his 30th birthday (yes I'm exactly two weeks older than him.) We know all the firsts without Mammaw are going to be especially tough over the coming year and here is the first one. Please lift him up in prayer and that Caleb and I will do just the right things to give him just the kind of day he needs. I know Mammaw wouldn't want us to skip over his birthday because we are missing her!

* I am thankful for my dear sweet Caleb. I have so many stories to share about him. Was it easy for him to go to the hospital for several days and be entertained in small waiting rooms? Definitely not. But he was a trooper. We are all so proud of him. He was sensitive to us. He was a ray of sunshine to everyone he met. He was there when we needed him.

* I am thankful for God's timing. Weeks ago my husband was discouraged that his conference where he had to give a speech was scheduled for the first week of March this year. Other years this conference is always the middle or end of March. Looking back we are grateful for this schedule because the conference already happened, and my husband was finished with his speech and didn't have to worry about. Another thing about God's timing: Last week on Tuesday before Mammaw entered the hospital, one of her daughters found her and thought she was already gone. They got an ambulance and took her to the hospital. It was so serious that we could have lost her then. Why did God let her hang on for another week I've wondered? I feel maybe it's so we could all be there with her and tell her of our love and good byes. His timing is perfect.

* I am thankful we have a home in Heaven. It is such a wonderful hope we have to look forward to and anticipate. We didn't want to tell Mammaw goodbye in our earthly flesh. We know we will miss her. But we know also that she is in Heaven and we rejoice over that.

Once again I want to thank all of you who have read my entries and offered prayers for us. Keep those coming. We appreciate them. I'm not sure when I'll be back to regular posting or reading blogs. I need prayers myself because my throat is scratchy and I have an achy back.

Thank you for visiting. Join us for more Thankful Thursday posts by visiting Lynn.

This passage really blessed me this week (I Corinthians 5:1-10):

1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Checking in.....

We went to the hospital quickly this morning after getting a call that the nurse said it would be soon. The family was gathered around her bed and prayed. I sat in the hall with Caleb instead of in the waiting room so I'd be nearby for my husband. We talked and read books. I enjoy my conversations with that boy so much. :) Well they came out about 11:30 and said they were going to get something to eat. I was very thankful because Caleb had started saying he was hungry and I was feeling hunger pangs myself. We ate a quick lunch in the cafeteria and went back upstairs. The nurses have said they are surprised at how strong Mammaw is and she keeps holding on. She was looking around today and smiling, my husband thought she must be seeing the other side already. The family has all told her their love and that we'll be okay and it's okay for her to go. We've always known how strong she was!

I've enjoyed hearing my husband share stories of his Mammaw. She has been so special to his life, and I told her I was thankful for her and for her being so special to him.

Thank you again for your prayers. I have felt God with us and holding us really to get through. The days are running together. We came home earlier tonight and relaxed (I had a nice hot bath) and Caleb got to play at home a while. We're just going to take this one day at a time.

Update on Mammaw (Monday night)

We've been at the hospital again today. We were able to rest and arrived at the hospital around 11 this morning after a couple errands we needed to do before leaving town.

Mammaw is steadily declining. The hospice doctor told the family this afternoon he would expect her to pass away in the next 24 hours. An encouraging thing was during the conversation something was said and he said oh, is she a Christian? We said oh yes. He said I am also. That takes a little of the sting out because you know it isn't a good bye but a see you later. What a blessing!

Caleb was a big boy again today. I took him downstairs to a little couch in a lobby area for him to rest yesterday and today he marched over to it ready to nap when we got off the elevator. He has cheered so many people. I've really been watching him and it blesses me too to see the smiles he brings to the faces of all those around him if they know him or not. I have some precious Caleb stories I may share as well from this experience.

Let me say thank you to those of you who have encouraged us with your messages here and your prayers for our family. I have missed reading your blogs and being encouraged by you, but you've come here and encouraged us. Thank you.

Sunday evening update

We've spent Saturday evening and most of Sunday up at the hospital with Mammaw and the family. Tonight they have moved her to hospice care. Please remember the family in your prayers as well as Mammaw.

I must say Caleb has been such a great boy through this ordeal. Hospital waiting rooms are not the most fun place for a little boy to be. He has done great though. We keep telling him how proud we are of his excellent behavior. We have activity bags we take and switch out with books and activities for him to occupy his time. One of the waiting rooms has a blocked off area for children with two small tables so we've been in there regularly. He doesn't really understand about Mammaw. I told him we just had to pray for her and whatever God wanted was what we wanted, either to make her better or take her to Heaven.

I appreciate your prayers and concern. Friends are a blessing.

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #10

It was exciting this week for me to review Caleb on the verses and hear him say them finish them for me. It is a wonderful thing to hear our son reciting God's Word.

This is the memory verse for this week:

Proverbs 5:21
"For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord and he examines all his paths."

I have many things on my heart this week as you can see from previous posts regarding my husband's grandmother. Being at the hospital has opened my eyes to the hurt people feel everyday and made me wonder what I can don to minister. I may share more about this in the future.

If you have a prayer request please let me know in a comment or email. God bless you.

Evening update

Thank you to everyone for your prayers. We spent more time today up at the hospital. It's been a long day it seems. Mammaw was awake this morning when my husband visited. She was talking some but didn't remember last night, one of her grandsons being there, etc. After lunch we went back together and she was about the same. The doctor was talking with the family when we got there. He said he will try to drain the abscess on her back on Monday. I believe in 1996 she had some hardware put into her back (they call it a rod) and it is trying to protrude and it has an infection. She is very weak and her blood is so thin so they're trying to giver her things to thicken her blood over the weekend.

Her daughter called 911 Tuesday a.m. because they found her in bed, not sure she was alive. Her body was apparently full of toxins. I believe they called it septic (or septis? I don't know) shock. She had her dialysis today. Tonight when I went in to see her, she tried to talk to me. She was watching TV. I couldn't make out her words, it was like she had to think of what she was saying. She seems very weak to us and like she is in pain. She's still struggling with her breaths and has irregular heart beat and her blood pressure gets extremely low.

Thank you for your prayers.

Update on Mammaw

We got to the hospital during the visiting hours this afternoon. I waited in the waiting room while my husband went in and then I went back to see her. She tried to talk to me and all her numbers on the monitor got irregular and dropped. My brother in law came down also and Mammaw's brother is planning to come tomorrow. We ate supper with my inlaws and then went back for the evening visiting hours. My husband went in this time and said she was very different from the time before. We are going back now. We came home to get Caleb in his pajamas and let him bathe.

Please pray for this family. Mammaw has been a strong strong lady for her family. She has been a strong fighter for as long as I've known her. Several times we've had scares with her health in the past. We are praying for God's will.

Prayer request

We just received a call from my father-in-law that my husband's Mammaw is in the hospital in ICU. She is a strong lady and has pulled through many times in the past with some tough health issues. She has been on dialysis I think the whole time I've known her and her body is wearing out at this point. We're going with my husband to check on her. I'll post an update later. Please say a prayer for her and the family.

Thankful Thursday is below.

Thankful Thursday: Wisdom

Do you often pray for wisdom? This is a prayer I pray often. I need wisdom and direction in so many areas. I feel God listens and blesses us when we seek His face and His direction and wisdom. Remember Solomon in the Bible could ask for anything and he asked for wisdom. This is a great example to us.

The verse this morning from KLOVE was very fitting for this theme:
"Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment." Proverbs 4:7, NLT

Thinking about wisdom this week, I'm thankful for...

* the wisdom we gain from reading God's Word.

* learning and gaining wisdom from those who are older in years. We can learn so much from those who are have already "been there."

* my husband's wisdom in dealing with finances. This is just a huge blessing to me. I see so many people who don't care about their finances and are not wise with what they've been given. It brings me pride to see him care and direct us in this.

Thank you to Iris for hosting Thankful Thursday for so long. It has been a joy to participate. Our hostess this week is Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Have a blessed day!

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"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." Proverbs 9:10

Friendship

I received the following in an email and wanted to share it. It didn't have an author or title in the email I received. Hope you enjoy!

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I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts or fears.

But I can listen to you and together we can seek answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain nor the
Future with it's untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter and joy.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you and help you when you ask.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow, room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting;
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces and put them
Back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.

~~Unknown

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Are you this kind of friend? Do you have a friend like this in your life?

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"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7,8

Birthday weekend!

On February 27, 1979, I was born. Last Friday I turned 30! My husband will be turning 30 two weeks after me so we've been talking about being 30 lately. When I was in elementary school, I always thought it was so neat that my Mom was still in her 20s and all my friends' Moms were in their 30s already. Well this year I started the year for us to have the 0. My Mom will be turning 50 in March. Peepaw always teased me and said "look what you've started" on my birthday when I'd change to the next number. He would have been 80 this August.

I enjoyed my birthday. Thursday night we made flower cupcakes, and my boys went outside to work on a surprise. They bought flowers for my flowerbed. They were going to till it up, but it didn't work so we're going to get pots for the porch instead! Caleb helped wrap my gift and made me a birthday card. About 9 o'clock he said we needed to decorate for the party! He found my stash of balloons and streamers and started putting the streamers around the house. It was really cute how he tore a piece off an hung it with tape or tied it around door knobs. We told him we'd have to get new balloons because those didn't blow up easily. He wanted to keep working, but it was past bedtime!!

Friday morning we went to the donut shop and then took Caleb to his class at the library. My Mom met us at the library. She took Caleb with her to Walmart, and we went to the eye doctor. Last Tuesday I'd gotten contacts again. My right one was bothering me so I went to have it checked. He gave me a new prescription and I immediately noticed a difference. We met my cousin and aunt at Chick fil a for birthday lunch. Apparently everyone else had the same idea! It was VERY crowded!

I was so excited that my aunt and cousin got to spend the day with us. My cousin's 21st birthday was on Sunday. We always had cake and parties together when we were growing up. This year I thought it would be special to get together again, and it worked out for that to happen. Caleb did more decorating when we got home and helped my Mom make our ice cream cake. YUMMY! She also made me an angel food cake. Add the flower cupcakes we made for my cousin and we had plenty of cake (and still have some if you'd like some!).

We all went to eat at Cotton Patch before my aunt and cousin left for her apartment.

It was a wonderful day! I've enjoyed my emails and cards everyone sent as well. Now I'm 30!

(I thought someone would ask about my gift....it is a blender! Caleb's already tried it out for milkshakes and smoothies! I wanted one to try out a new salsa recipe from my Mom.)

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"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." ~ James 3:13, NLT

Book giveaway

A fellow booklover at Musings of a Minister is having a book giveaway. Go check it out! He has three books he'll be giving and all of them look great! I enjoy reading his blog as well so don't just go for the giveaway. :)

Marriage Monday: The Glory of Christian Marriage

Want this button?

Today's topic: Why do you feel marriage is part of God’s marvelous design? What have you discovered that you want to shout from the rooftops? Or, tell us how you handled a conflict that turned out to be unexpected blessing in your relationship. Give us the real skinny about marriage as God envisions it.

God knew what He was doing when He created marriage as part of his marvelous design. In Genesis we read how He gave Adam a helper when he created Eve. This causes me to look at my own marriage and see how my husband and I both are helpers to each other. I've noticed many times throughout our married life the blessing it is to have my husband help me. There are times I just need his help with physical tasks around the house as well as emotional support in my time of stress or sadness. Other times I can help him both physically and emotionally. I think God knew we'd need this lasting, unconditional support and gave us each other as part of His plan. It is nice to have listening ears and comforting arms to go to on the hard days as well as to rejoice with on the happy days!

Jennifer at A Pair of Bartletts is our guest hostess if you'd like to join and share your thoughts today.

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"The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.' " Genesis 1:18

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #9

Caleb and I had a lesson with a picture on his marker board about not walking on the evil path from last week's memory verse. We talked about what evil means (in four year old language) and how we have to choose the good path instead.

This week's verse is Proverbs 4:24:

"Put away perversity from your mouths; keep corrupt talk far from your lips."

Do you have any prayer requests this week? I will be praying for....

~ Heather and her family to be well.

~ safe travel for my husband on his trip.

~ a friend has a job interview this week on Tuesday.

Have a blessed week, this first week of March!

Also, if you did not answer Friday's question for As long as it is called Today, I'd like to remind you to do that too!