As long as it is called Today: Random (June)

It's time again for "As long as it is called Today." June has five Tuesdays so today will be the "special" category that we don't get to have each month, memories. I hope you will join me in July each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Click here to read some of the great ideas shared last week.

Today's question: Share a funny summer memory.

My answer: We went camping sometimes in the summer. My cousin who is 9 years younger than me was with us. One night I got so tickled at her in the night....she had rubbed her nose with the palm of her hand, moving her hand around and around in a circle. I can still picture her doing it in my head. I'm not sure why it was so funny, but I started giggling. She didn't think it was that funny! I have tons of funny memories with my cousin. We did a lot of silly stuff on camping trips!

I look forward to reading your funny summer memories. Have a super summer day!

Song: One True God

It always blesses me to hear this song on the radio and I want to sing along. I never did catch the title of the song, so I looked it up on KLOVE's site.

Here are the lyrics I found and a video from youtube. It's called "One True God" by Mark Harris.




We serve a wonderful Lord. He is holding us. He created us. He made a beautiful world for us. We can't do this life on our own. We are nothing without Him. Whatever we face or whatever comes our way He is there, He is the One True God.

I hope this song blesses you this Monday morning! Thanks for visiting!
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"Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle." Psalm 24:8

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #26

This week's memory verse is

Proverbs 14:26--

"He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge."

Leave a comment if you have any prayer requests. Please join me in praying for these requests this week as well:

~ sweet little Anderson who had surgery on June 16. They thought his incision was infected so he had to have another surgery but they didn't think it was infected once they did the surgery. Pray for his full recovering and healing from these brain tumors.

~ friend going through infertility. I pray her and her husband are blessed with a child in God's timing.

~ those traveling on summer vacations, like Michele and her husband.

~ military families. I'm excited for Christy that her hubby is coming home this week!

Hope your day is blessed! Thank you for visiting today.

Poem: "A Different Child"

Ealier this week I was waiting for my husband to get off work so we could go meet Caleb and Gramma at the water park. Instead of sitting in the heat of the truck I went over to the library to browse and read my books. I was looking in the "new books" section and a title caught my eye: After Miscarriage. I picked it up and flipped through it. At the back was a poem called "A Different Child." At first I only read the first page of the poem and then realized it was continued on the back. I checked the book out so I could share it with my husband and Mom. I found it online and want to share it here as well.

You can find the poem online here. This was written byPandora Diane Waldron.

A Different Child


A different child,
People notice
There's a special glow around you.

You grow
Surrounded by love,
Never doubting you are wanted;
Only look at the pride and joy
In your mother and father's eyes.


And if sometimes
Between the smiles
There's a trace of tears,
One day
You'll understand.

You'll understand
There was once another child
A different child
Who was in their hopes and dreams.

That child will never outgrow the baby clothes
That child will never keep them up at night
In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all.

Except sometimes, in a silent moment,
When mother and father miss so much
That different child.

May hope and love wrap you warmly
And may you learn the lesson forever
How infinitely precious
How infinitely fragile
Is this life on earth.

One day, as a young man or woman
You may see another mother's tears
Another father's silent grief
Then you, and you alone
Will understand
And offer the greatest comfort.

When all hope seems lost,
You will tell them
With great compassion,
"I know how you feel.
I'm only here
Because my mother tried again."

As I read the last lines I got tears in my eyes. After our miscarriage I was scared to try again. I was scared it would happen again, and we'd never hold a child in our arms. I was in such pain, and I didn't want to go through all of it again. But at the same time I wanted to try again and wanted to have a baby. Even though I suffered a great deal of pain during that time after the miscarriage, I wouldn't change it. God had a purpose and plan for us going through that. I'm thankful for those nearly 11 weeks with that first baby, the "different child," we never met.

This poem touched my heart and made me thankful for our sweet Caleb.

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" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Thankful Thursday: Deserved Rewards

Welcome back for Thankful Thursday! I always look forward to preparing my list of thankfulness each week. This week Laurie is our hostess so feel free to join us in giving thanks if you'd like! She has chosen the theme of "deserved rewards" this week.

I'm so glad that God knows what is best for us. Even if we whine and complain about how things are, we still know that His way is best. I'm thankful for that. We must be careful and check our attitudes to make sure they are honoring Him. Are we grateful for the things in life He gives in His way and His timing, or do we try too hard to do things our own way, ignoring Him?

Summer is definitely here! It was 96 tonight when I looked at the thermometer reading. It cooled down a few degrees from earlier today. It's easy to be negative about the heat. I was telling my Mom today how thankful I was that I wasn't one of those construction workers out working on the buildings or roads today. I just can't imagine working in this 100 plus degree heat. So I'm thankful for those who do work outdoors day after day to make our lives easier or safer, like construction workers and trash collectors. In summer we have to make sure we are being thankful for each day God gives even if it is hotter than is exactly pleasing to us at the moment. God knows what He is doing, even in the weather He gives each day.

Other things I'm thankful for this week:
~ my husband helping out whenever I need it. One example is he is great about cleaning up the table after supper and putting away the leftovers while I do the dishes.

~ my growing healthy four year old. He had to get his shots this week. While shots aren't fun we know they are part of life. Through this reminder this week I'm thankful he's growing up as he should and he is healthy.

~ my Mom being able to come for a visit. We always make fun memories when Gramma is here.

~ encouraging emails.

~ the new Bible study I'm doing through LPM blog called "Me, Myself & Lies." It is wonderful!

Thanks for stopping by my little blog today. Hope your day is blessed.
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"You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." Nehemiah 9:17

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (June)

I'm glad you're here for "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the fourth week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer.

Today's question: Summer is here! Share a favorite idea of something to cook on the grill.

My answer: We've been cooking potatoes on the grill lately. I peel and cut up the potatoes. We wrap them in foil with some pepper, butter, and onion and throw them on the grill. My husband really does the grilling so I look forward to some new things to try from your ideas. :)

Thanks for participating! Have a blessed day!

Happy summer!

Summer if "officially" here now although in Texas it has been pretty hot for several weeks already.

What are your plans for summer? It seems many people have been asking me that the past few days.

We don't have any for sure plans at this point. Since we already went to New Mexico with the church group already, we won't be taking another big trip. We would like to go back to Sea World though to the water park. We have the passes good for all season long anyway. We thought about going July 3 and see their fireworks display at the lake but I figure it will be extra busy on a holiday weekend. We still have a little time to decide and figure it out! We'll have VBS at our home church in the middle of July. I'll be planning a little boy's birthday party too for early August. He has told us for a couple years probably that he wants a school cake when he's turning five! So we have the order in to Gramma for that school cake! We'll also be going to the pool some and eating watermelon and snowcones!

So what do you have planned for the summer?

Hope you have a great week!
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"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20

2009 Book #28: Love Is A Verb by Gary Chapman

Gary Chapman has a new book called Love Is a Verb. As with all the books I’ve read by Chapman, including The Five Love Languages, this is an enjoyable book and well-worth your time.


Love Is a Verb is a compilation of stories told by various men and women about situations in their lives that taught them a lesson about love. The forty stories are about marriage relationships as well as relationships with family members, neighbors, parents and children. After each story the Gary Chapman writes a short overview of the love lesson taught by the story.


The stories are well written and enjoyable to read. The book is one that you can pick up and read one story or several at a time. When my husband asked about the book I told him it reminded me of the “Chicken Soup” books. I would recommend this for your personal library as well as a nice gift book to give others.

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #25

This weeks memory verse is Proverbs 13:20.

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."

This makes me think of a song sing on a kids memory verse sing along video. The first couple times I heard it I couldn't catch all the words. It is a catchy little tune though and I'll have it in my memory this week.

Do you have any prayer requests this week? Let's pray for the following:

~Dad's on fathers day

~ Those missing their dads/grandfathers today

~ Anderson-- he is recovering after his brain surgery. Pray for strength for his family as they ate with him in the hospital as he recovers.

~ friend's brother who is going through marital problems

Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful day!

100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs by Stephen Elkins

If you have young children (toddlers through primary aged), I would like to recommend a wonderful Bible story book for you. It is called 100 Bible Stories 100 Songs created by Stephen Elkins with illustrations by Tim O'Connor. This illustrated storybook is perfect for Bible story time before bed or for the early readers to read themselves.

The book has 100 Bible stories told in a concise, easy-to-read format. The story is on one page along with the title of the song, and on the facing page is a picture with three application sentences related to the story. The illustrations are colorful and appealing. The two CD’s have 100 songs that correlate with the 100 Bible stories. You’ll hear many old favorites like “Be Careful Little Eyes” and “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock” as well as hymns like “Amazing Grace” and many other songs I’d not previously heard.

I was excited to receive this before we left on our recent trip. It was perfect to take along in the car. I’d read a few stories to my son and then he’d listen to the CD. My son totally loved both the stories and the songs. This is a wonderful resource to help children hide God’s Word in their hearts.

You're Gonna Miss This.....Moment #6

Today I'm linking with Pam for You're Gonna Miss This...moment.

On Tuesday this week Caleb and I were walking into HEB to do our grocery shopping. As we got out of the car and walked to get a buggy, I felt his hand clasped securely in mine. I felt myself getting tears in my eyes as I thought to myself, "how many more times will we have this?" We go grocery shopping every two weeks and I know time is coming close when my boy will be in school. I really love going grocery shopping with Caleb. We have fun together and he always makes me grin when he can spot a fire fighter down any aisle it seems! We seem to always end up at HEB when the fire fighters are shopping and Caleb always tells them hello.


I could look at a calendar and count how many more Tuesday shopping trips we have, but instead I decided to just enjoy that moment, that feeling that little hand in mine and having my little helper along for the grocery shopping.

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"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." I Corinthians 3:16, 17

Thankful Thursday: Your Father's Eyes

Today our hostess, Laurie at Women Taking a Stand, has chosen "Your Father's Eyes" for our theme for Thankful Thursday.

I'm not sure I have my Dad's eyes, but two things that did come to mind that I have like him: his laugh and his thumb. We both have thumbs that bend far back (like when you're doing a thumbs-up sign) instead of just being straight up. I'm thankful for my Dad. When I was a kid he was my Sunday School teacher for a time. I remember him telling us in class the importance of reading the Bible everyday, even as kids so we'd be in the habit of reading from God's word daily as we grew. That has stuck with me through the years.

I'm thankful we have a Heavenly Father who gave us His Word to show us Him and His truth and love.

Other things I'm thankful for this week:
~ my wonderful husband and the wonderful Daddy he is to our son. He does bath time every night and teaches him so many things.

~ my thoughtful son. He made me smile with his gift he wanted to get Daddy. We were at Dollar Tree getting some gift bags and he saw a nail care kit. He asked if we could get it for Daddy, then maybe he wouldn't have to go back to the foot doctor anymore. We both thought that was very thoughtful! (Hubby had ingrown toenails removed last month and had a problem with one so had to return to the doctor.)

~ emails from my Mom. I was gone last week and she was gone part of this week to a conference. Now we're both back and I like getting emails from her again.

~ air conditioning! It is such a blessing to come in to a cool home.

~ feeling like I'm almost caught up. All week I've felt like I've just been getting done the basics that I need to do with laundry on Monday and Tuesday, grocery shopping on Tuesday, plus getting our stuff ready for Father's Day. This morning we made cookies for Caleb's t-ball coaches and I ironed after that. I realized as we were eating lunch I felt relaxed again! Hooray!

What are you thankful for this week? Please join us and share!
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"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8

Experiences from our trip

I've been catching up on things at home since we've returned. I've been wanting to share with you about the trip we took last week with our church group.

We left Thursday, June 4 after my hubby got off work to go to my Mom's house for the night. Friday morning Caleb went with her to school (it was their last day and there weren't many kids). We headed to Lubbock and stopped on the way in Abilene for lunch. We went by ACU and found a new cap for hubby.

We continued on our way and saw many of these filling the horizon. Caleb loves watching them. He calls them "energy" because last year on the trip we talked about how they were used to make energy.

We stayed with my Dad Friday night in Lubbock, TX. Caleb got to feed the ducks at a local pond with Grandad. Then Saturday morning we took him to the Kids Workshop at Home Depot and a little festival hosted by a local hospital where he got to go across a little lake in a paddle boat. After lunch we continued on our way, stopping in Clovis for a root beer float. I was excited to see on their sign that it was "happy hour" when we arrived.

We stayed the night in Santa Rosa where we met up with our church group. Caleb enjoyed swimming in the pool. Sunday morning we left out with the group. We stopped at a pretty little park in Albuquerque for a time of worship together and then lunch.

We arrived in Gallup Sunday afternoon. Caleb helped unload and we all got settled in our rooms. Sunday evening we went over to the church building for their worship service and also a meal they had prepared for us, which was delicious.

Monday we worked on preparing our individual rooms for VBS. Our theme was Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure. This is a bulletin board in our room (my husband and I were co-teachers for K/1st grade this year). Thank you to my Mom for the words. It says, "The Bible is our map to lead us to our treasure...Jesus!" My husband made the little islands. We had a ship that sailed from island to island for each day to find a different treasure from the Bible....trust, love, pray, live, and Jesus. I used little paper Bibles for attendance each day that we also moved around the islands.

We were all pleased with the VBS turnout. The church there worked really hard advertising and promoting the VBS and we had more this year compared to last year. I think we had 39 children in attendance plus probably 15-20 adults in the adult class which was great.

Tuesday we went on a trip to El Morro National Monument. We went last year also as a group. Caleb kept telling us he was going to the top this year. We did all three go to the top

We did all three go to the top this year and this is one view from there. I wasn't sure I was going to make it! I didn't like how I felt climbing across the path. I did better when my boys were in front of me, I didn't feel so much like I was going to stumble. Caleb kept saying, "This hiking is hard work." It was cute how much he loved it. He walked the whole way. I figured part way up he'd want to be carried but he didn't!

On Wednesday we worked at the home. It rained in the morning (and was rather chilly) so we went to some shops downtown and came back to work in the afternoon. Caleb scraped paint and then repainted a curb with Daddy.

Thursday some of the group went to Red Rock but we decided to go to Petrified Forest in Arizona with another family since we'd been to Red Rock already last year. Caleb was so excited to hear he was going to Arizona since Daddy had just been there a few weeks ago on a trip. We enjoyed the ride over and seeing another piece of God's creation. This is a picture of a cactus I took on our drive into the park...something we don't see here in Texas, and Caleb told me to take a picture.

Here are a couple pictures of the Painted Desert. Pictures don't do it justice. It made me want to go to the Grand Canyon.

Friday we packed up to head back home. We stopped along the way. It was sure a LONG drive across New Mexico into Texas and this was such a welcome sight.

We are all thankful for the opportunity to go on this trip. We enjoyed being together. I was so proud of how well Caleb did while traveling again this year. He was the youngest one there and really the only kid in the group (besides the youth from the youth group who went). Everyone commented on what a good boy and hard worker he was during the trip. That made me smile. :)

Thank you again for your prayers for us while we were away. I am still catching up on things at home and look forward to visiting your blogs again soon! I've read a few here and there in my Google Reader. I had other things that needed to be taken care of first. (I put more pictures on Facebook too if you want to see some of us. I have my reasons for not putting pictures of us here!)
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"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

As long as it is called Today: Christian parents (June)

I'm glad you're here for "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the third week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian parents. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer.

Today's question: Share something you do to make traveling fun for kids.

My answer: Caleb was amazing during all our traveling over 2000 miles this past week. He read a lot of books. When he'd need something else we'd sing. One time we looked for things of a specific color as we were driving.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave your answer in the comments. Be blessed today!

2009 Book #27: A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

I was looking forward to reading A Gift of Grace by author Amy Clipston. I was not disappointed and enjoyed this new author.

Rebecca and her husband Daniel are part of an Old Order Amish community. Their lives are changed when Rebecca's sister Grace and her husband die in an auto accident. Grace, who had left the Amish community when she was younger, leaves custody of their two teen age daughters to Rebecca. It is quite an adjustment for Rebecca and Daniel to have Jessica and Lindsay move in. Lindsay enjoys learning about the community and Amish way of life while Jessica feels out of place and just wants to go home. Rebecca feels strongly that it is God’s will for her nieces to live with her so she can be a mother since she is unable to have children of her own. Daniel and other members of the community are critical of Jessica as she makes some mistakes, making her feel unwelcome. Will Rebecca be able to convince Daniel that the girls belong with them or show Jessica that she is loved and welcomed as she grieves the loss of her parents?

I recommend this book and eagerly look forward to book two of this series. This book can be purchased online from Zondervan or Barnes & Noble.

2009 Book list #26: The First Drop of Rain by Leslie Parrott

I had no idea what to expect from Leslie Parrott's book the first drop of rain; I was touched though by reading it and am glad I had the opportunity to read this new book from Zondervan. This is a book that should be read slowly to be pondered by the heart.

The author weaves real life stories into each chapter to make spiritual applications with which the reader will be able to relate. Parrot, from Seattle, writes many of the chapters relating to rain and finds God in the busy, routine days of life. Every chapter deals with rain or some aspect of weather. Each chapter begins with a quote from the poem “The Wasteland” by T S Eliot. The author uses this as a contrast to life with God. The chapters are short with two questions at the end of each to make personal application of what you’ve read. There are also poems written by the author that coincide with some of the chapters. These poems really add to the chapters as they speak straight to the heart.

One of the chapters I especially enjoyed was chapter 26 entitled Expectancy. She writes, "my expectations diminish the possibilities of my life--but my sense of expectancy expands them."

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others because of the way it will make you consider your own life through each chapter. You can buy the book at Zondervan.

We're home

It is good to be home. Thank you to all of you for stopping by while I was away. I have a long list of things to do....laundry (I sorted the clothes last night in the garage and am going to keep track of how many loads I have done! I was thinking I really wash this many clothes every week when I saw all the piles.), work on Father's Day cards/boxes with Caleb, get groceries, upload pictures, post reviews of books I finished while traveling, catch up on blogs, etc. Just wanted to come and say thanks for your prayers while we were traveling. I'll be writing a post about our trip...sometime.

Have a great week!
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"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 100:1

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #24

(I am posting this in advance since we'll be out of town.)

The memory verse for the coming week is


Proverbs 13:10


"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."


Please let me know if you have any prayer requests this week. I'll update when we get home. Thanks! Have a great week!

Marriage resource #3

This is a new blog I found recently. I can't remember where I saw the link to it. It's called Adding Zest to Your Nest.

Here is the purpose of this site, as copied from the site:

Our Purpose
Our desire is to create a safe place for women to discuss our sexuality as Christians. We believe sex should be a delight, a treasure, and a gift to share with our husbands.

We have a three-fold purpose:
1) to promote a biblical understanding of sex and the marriage bed
2) to assist women who struggle with their sexuality
3) to provide a community of likeminded women for accountability, support, and sharing of resources and experiences.

Although I'm new to this resource, I think it will be a good one.

Thankful Thursday

I don't want to miss out on Thankful Thursday!

Things I'm thankful for this week include:

~ the opportunity to travel with our church to New Mexico for the mission trip.

~ beautiful scenery of God's creation. (I'll plan to post pictures when we return!)

~ spending time together as a family.

~ sunshine.

~ good books that make me think.

Have a blessed day! Thanks for stopping by today! Be thankful!
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"Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.

2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD." Psalm 117:1, 2

Marriage resource #2

I would like to share a blog with you called ABC's of a Healthy Marriage. This is a new blog by Jill Savage. I have marked it on my Google Reader and know she'll have some wonderful marriage enrichment ideas here. Go check it out!

As long as it is called Today: Christian wives/husbands (June)

I'm glad you're here for "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the second week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian spouses. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer.

Today's question: Share a way your spouse has blessed you this week.

My answer: My husband and I shared our 8th anniversary this past week. It was so sweet to read the words from his heart he wrote in my card. That blessed me!

I look forward to reading the ways your spouse has blessed you! Have a good day!

Marriage resource #1

I have wanted to share these online resources with you and thought this week while I'm gone would be a perfect opportunity. Plus our "As long as it is called Today" question is about spouses too, so that fits in also!

The first resource is a blog called The Generous Wife. I have been signed up to receive the daily Generous Wife emails for a long time now, and I love them. Now there is a blog where you can read the ideas and leave comments if you want to share with and encourage other wives. There are some great ideas to help wives help their husbands. There is also a Generous Husband blog too.

Go check out this great resource for your marriage!

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #23

(I am posting this in advance since I will be out of town.)

The memory verse this week is:

Proverbs 12:25

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up."


Also, please let me know if you have any prayer requests this week.


Please pray for us on our trip--for safe travel and that the VBS will be a success with many seeds planted.

Our upcoming trip

We will be traveling towards New Mexico for our mission trip with our church. We went last summer as well. Please keep us in prayer as the group travels.

We'll be working at a children's home and doing VBS in the evenings. The theme is "Treasure Hunt" with the idea that "The Bible is our map that leads us to our treasure, Jesus." We're teaching the kindergarten/first grade group.

We're looking forward to the trip! I have some posts ready for next week and may try to add a couple more to schedule to post as well because I've thought of a couple sites on marriage I want to share. I will probably read your posts on your blogs from my Google Reader but don't know if I'll be able to comment, depending on the connection I have there. See you next week!

I did a post when we got back last year and included this song and wanted to share it again. I've been thinking about it as we've prepared to go.



"Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name." Psalm 103:1

Thankful Thursday

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, But rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."~~Frederick Koenig

This quote was in a "thought of the day" I receive in a daily email. I thought it was a good reminder to go with Thankful Thursday to be appreciative of what we do have. I've been keeping a list this week of things that I feel thankful for each day.

Friday I was thankful to have a day at home with my boy without much chores and doing whatever we wanted mostly. I like to have "read-a-lot-of books" day on Friday before nap time. (We read a lot of books most every day but even more on Fridays!) This is always fun for both of us. One of us will get a stack of books and the other will pick the spot to read.

Saturday I was thankful for the fun day with my boys. We stopped by HEB to pick up a couple things to take to the fellowship lunch Sunday after church. I found a coupon on one of the displays for $1.00 off of the item I was already planning to buy to make. I thought that was neat!
Sunday I was thankful for a sweet lady at church, Mary. She is one of our Sunday a.m. teachers and she let me borrow her little wooden jail for the story of Paul and Silas at VBS. Then Sunday she came with a little chariot her husband had made for me to use in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. It was so sweet of her to share her resources with me for the trip!

Monday I was thankful for seeing evidence of God hearing our prayers. Our neighbors had some problems this weekend. Pray for them as they are looking for answers.

Tuesday I was thankful to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. When we met my hubby for a quick supper before Caleb's t-ball game, he surprised me with roses behind his back. Awww!

Wednesday I was thankful for a nice morning with my boy. After volunteering we went to the library for what ended up a couple of hours!

Do you feel thankful today? I hope so! Be blessed!

Join us at Women Taking a Stand for TT today!
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"Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might." Psalm 21:13

2009 Book #25: Finding An Unseen God by Alicia Britt Chole

Update: Click on the comments and you can see one from the author! How cool is that! Check out her website!


I have finished a unique book from Bethany House Publishers called Finding An Unseen God by Alicia Britt Chole. I'll admit this book is different from most books I read, but I found it to be very thought-provoking and interesting.

This is the story of how the author, a former Atheist, found God. I found myself wanting to keep reading chapter after chapter. Her writing style really holds the readers attention; the book format is unique as well in the way the short (normally 2-3 pages each) chapters are ordered in the book, alternating between Alicia's flashback to her past up to her point of belief and information regarding religion, beliefs, and God. She challenges the reader to consider their own beliefs and offers some questions that will force the reader to examine their faith.

My husband read this book before I did and found it to be an enjoyable read for him as well. I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to others. I like the creative puzzle on the cover too.

8 things...To my husband

8 things I love about my husband

(in honor of today, our 8th anniversary)

1. I love the way you accept me as I am (and have from the beginning,) not wanting me to be anyone else but me. I can truly be myself with you. This is a wonderful feeling.

2. I love the way you can comfort me by peeling away the layers (you've told me I'm like an onion!) of my sadness to figure out the real issues that are bothering me.

3. I love the way you interact with our son and give him a wonderful example to follow every day. He wants to be just like his Daddy and I'm so thankful he has you to follow.

4. I love the way you always support me in my goals and dreams. In our first years of marriage, you were encouraging me in fulfilling my dream of being a teacher. More recently you've supported me 100% in my dream to be a stay-at-home Mom. Thank you.

5. I love the way you make me laugh all the time about unexpected things. It is so fun to remember past funny times with you and laugh some more together.

6. I love the way you love the Lord. You don't know how much it encourages me to see you continuing to grow in Him and sharing with me what you're learning.

7. I love the way you teach me by your example...how you say I'm sorry, look for the positive, and work hard daily.

8. I love the way you treat me with respect and love. You make me feel cherished and I'm so grateful.

"It doesn't require a special day to express how much I love you ... every ordinary day is more than special when I am with you." Author Unknown

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband! I have absolutely loved being married to you, my best friend, these past 8 years. I'm thankful that God gave you to me to walk alongside you as your wife as we journey through this life together. You are amazing!
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"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

(Since it is Tuesday, "As long as it is called Today" is posted below.)

As long as it is called Today: Christian women/men (June)

I'm posting this Monday night because I have a special post for Tuesday morning. :)

I'm glad you're here for the beginning of another month for "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the first week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian women and men. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer. I got some great ideas of quick recipes to add to our menu.

Today's question: Share a favorite parable and why it is special to you.

My answer: I've always loved the story of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27) This story reminds me that we must be building on Jesus and nothing else will stand. Things of the world are shifting like sand that washes away.

Please leave your answer in the comments! I appreciate you!

Marriage Monday: Being the "right person"

Success in marriage isn't finding the right person; it's being the right person.

Join us for Marriage Monday at A Fruit in Season. Christine writes: If I really was the "right spouse" for my husband, what would that look like? What would I do differently? I am the one that knows most intimately his personality, his needs, his fears, his desires, his dreams, his stresses, his weaknesses. How should that knowledge change the way I relate and interact with him today? So for our June Marriage Monday I ask you the same question. Ponder it, chew on it, really consider it. How would you be different if you truly acted like the "right person" for your husband?

I totally believe God brought my husband and me together for a purpose. He is so wonderful for me and God knew exactly what I needed when He gave me him. I want to be the right person for my husband and to always be his helper as we travel this life's journey together.

I've read The Five Love Languages book and one time asked my husband to make a list of things that I can do to make him feel loved. I like to go back and look at that list from time to time to see if I'm doing those things and showing him love.

There are a few things that come to mind immediately that I can work on to be a better wife:

~ listen when he talks and give him my full attention.

~ make his lunch for him joyfully! Sometimes I get tired of making his lunch but it's really not a big deal.

~ say "I love you" more often. I am so glad we say I love you to each other throughout the day. I've heard of people who never hear this in their relationships and it is so important. I'm glad he likes to hear it and say it (and mean it!).

~ be consistent in going to bed on time. I am so bad about this. We get to reading or then talking after we turn the lights out and it gets late quickly. This is something I want to work on.

My husband is such a blessing to me and I'm thankful for him. You can read more about his wonderfulness tomorrow if you'd like :) in a special post!
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"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33