Monday, February 28, 2011

365-58

So stinkin cute...I took this picture through the glass and couldn't figure out how to get the white dots out of the picture...Oh well, still 2 cutie pies!!

A little obedience here


I haven’t been able to share with some of you what the LORD called me to do a few months ago…During thanksgiving time I don’t remember if I mentioned that me and my family handed out Thanksgiving dinners to the homeless…Well, we did and it was a blessing for our boys to see what a blessing they can be to people in need…That’s what it’s about, isn’t it?  

So Thanksgiving Day after my run, I go into my neighborhood Walmart to pick up a few things for the day.  I see this sweet young girl (I’ll call her: Diamond) at the register, but couldn’t tell if she was pregnant or wearing a big sweatshirt (You know how some of these kids dress these days).  So I asked.  She answered with a big smile and said, “Yes, I’m pregnant.” Awwww, your first baby too? How awesome! I replied.  I proceeded to ask Diamond what she was doing for Thanksgiving, she told me nothing she was working.  I didn’t like that answer so I asked if she was at least going to have a Thanksgiving meal, again no.  Well, I still didn’t like that answer so I told her I would bring her some food in a few hours…I knew we were already preparing meals to hand out for our day, so why not one more, right?

So long story short, we became friends…Well, she’s old enough to be my daughter…I’m good with that…She knows JESUS, Yay, but is in much need of some direction…Being single, pregnant, no car, and living in the “ghetto” can be difficult…I feel drawn to her because she has such a sweet spirit about her…She really is trying not to live that “ghetto” life-style… She has managed to get a job, take the bus to work (pregnant) and save money for a car… Every one of her family members and friends take advantage of her trying to get money out of her…It’s sad…
As we have conversations about life, we always seem to get drawn back to how the LORD orchestrated this relationship…And now I know why…

I threw Diamond a baby shower and invited all her family and friends…Some friends from my church met Diamond and wanted to be a part of the baby shower too…They are so sweet and have tremendous hearts…It’s amazing to me how the LORD orchestrates these details in our lives and half of them we don’t even see…My friends get all gitty knowing they could bless others and talk about the Gospel…Now that’s a party…So here we are lovin on Diamond and her family talking, eating having a good ol’ time…We meet Ruthie…She is Jewish, we Christians are drawn immediately…GODS chosen people, I love them!  Ruthie was just a happy lady that fit right in with all the conversations…And that was it, end of shower…So I thought….

I was growing weary with Diamond and didn't feel like up to talking, directing or discipling her...Last Thursday morning the LORD drew me to Zechariah 4:10 “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” I meditated on that all morning thinking, hmmm, obedience to the little things, the LORD rejoices because HE sees the big picture…OK, I get it, small beginnings…

I went to my church that morning and was stopped by the children's ministry director…He told me a woman name Ruthie walked into the church to ask if the church would do a service for her husband…"How did you find us, Ruthie?" "Oh, I was invited to a baby shower and felt so drawn to the women at the shower."  "I wanted to know if the church can do the funeral services for my husband, he passed away a few days ago."   
Little obedience, big HOLY SPIRIT!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
 

Saturday, February 26, 2011

365-56 & 57


I think if I would have faded it more the bird might of looked real! Did I get'cha for a second? ;)

365-54 & 55

A mother can dream can she?  They are best friends, their goof-balls, and make the funniest faces...Why not do arranged marriages, who has to know? Hee-Hee!


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

365-53


I can't wait to get to know my camera more...When this camera was given to me they didn't include the manual...I don't know if they have it or not...I don't want to ask because I am so grateful, and don't want to sound greedy....I can view the manual on a PDF file for now...Praise the LORD! 

Monday, February 21, 2011

365-50,51,52



So I finally got a big camera...I mean, eh-hem, a digital Canon EOS Rebel...For FREE!!!
I was pretty close in convincing my husband to let me use some of our tax money to get a camera...I guess the LORD has other plans for that money...My girl Kim told me some friends at the church have "old" camera and asked them if they were willing to sell it....Not only did I get this camera for free, but that lens I took a picture of came along with it...And the standard lens that comes with the camera when you buy it...Oh, and a charger, and 2 cards, oh and a camera bag! So needless to say, these are some of the pictures I took with MY new camera ;) Now I need to figure out how to use everything....PRAISE JESUS!

Friday, February 18, 2011

365-47, 48, 49

Yes, I know, this story doesn't make sense. So, starting with my husband in his Modern Warfare pajama pants, you have my oldest boy Matthew, who doesn't want to leave dad's side.  This is hilarious, but I love it.  Next, those yummy cupcakes were at a late home school Valentine's event, I ate 2 of them.  Lastly, my precious, precious friend is in prison, and being I am her mediator for all her personal affairs while she is serving her time, she wanted to make me something with her hands...This is an adorable purse that I am amazed she even crochet it...Welp, now the story makes sense...Hope you enjoyed it! ;)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

365-46

365-45

365-44

So here it is Valentine's morning, I get up to go on my run, and a love letter awaits me... I only share it with you because it touched my heart to the point of tears and almost made me pee my pants in laughter...I dedicate this post to my wonderful funny husband for who he is and how blessed I am....

(His words exactly)
Baby,
Happy Valentines Day!  This past year just kind of blurred into another and everything has been so busy that even though I know your aware, I love you, I want to tell you my feelings.  That as a wife, a mother, my best friend and my sister in Christ, I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!  I AM PROUD OF YOU and I don't know what I would do without you.  I thank God for your humor and just your uniqueness (Did I even spell that right?).  You are perfect and I am grateful that, Jesus, knowing both of us, allowed our marriage to be so amazing.  I love your eyes, your skin, your funny laugh, your temper tantrums, your openness ( and yes, your New Yorkness), your smile, your body, your care, your compassion, your spunk, your funk, your flinstone toes, your bubble butt, your infant nose, your big girl underwear, your sense of style, your gas, your class, your peach fuzz mustache, your grunts, your freckles!  But, none of these compare to how much I love your hunger and passion for Our Mighty God.  Jesus is mercy and anyone who can't see that needs to take a solid look at my pathetic heart and know that I don't deserve you.  Thank you for being you.  For letting me love you.  You are my queen.  You are a beautiful woman that none compare.  Enjoy today baby, I love you. Ray

Saturday, February 12, 2011

365-40,41,42,43



Yes, Lord Jesus.  Please grant me the patience to deal with my son putting his finger in my best friends son's nose.  For real, this is not a finger on the side of his face to make it look like he is putting his finger in his nose, HE DID PUT HIS FINGER IN HIS NOSE!! Wait, right before that my son put his finger in this poor teens ear and lick it...OK, to much information I know...We were busting up laughing, though!!

Unnecessary busyness? For what?


With all the disobedient Israelites since the beginning of time, you would have thought  GOD would wipe them out a long time ago…As I read through the Old Testament stories I find myself disgusted with GOD’s people (i.e. Israelites, Hebrews, Jews).  Over and over again GOD showed Himself, His Glory and His Sovereignty…Still they went back to worshiping man made gods…

Even though they “thought” their lives were fulfilled, eventually they fell…Again…It’s always a temporary “feeling” of happiness and victory…HE allowed them to make decisions that are not in HIS will, because HE doesn’t force HIMSELF on HIS people, HE wants them to come to HIM humbled and in need!

In this 2 chapter book of Haggai, GOD told the prophet to send yet another message to HIS people.  The message was to “rebuild GODS temple”…That’s it! Rebuild, worship ME, so that I may dwell with you…Hmmm, that seems easy…The response of HIS people, “Eh, it’s not time yet to rebuild the house of the LORD.” (Haggai 1:2) Really people? Are you kidding me? “The GOD Most High just gave you a direct command and you say it’s not time yet?” Dummies I say, dummies…

But, this sounds veryyyy familiar to me….

Here is the LORDS response to their ridiculous response:  (Haggai 1:3-11-NLT Version)
Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? 5 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 6 You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! 7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 8 Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. 9 You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. 10 It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. 11 I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.”

No wonder I'm a mess sometimes...Now I know why it sounds familiar?  Because it’s me acting just like those dummies, with my unnecessary busyness...Why are things not going right for me?  Why do I stress out to make everything work together?  Why, why, why does it seem so hard sometimes?
Because I‘m not in the Fathers will, will, will…See, HIS will is perfect…HIS will is righteous, His will feels good, and HIS will is that I remain in HIM…OH, thank you precious LORD that you let me remain in YOU! If you think about it, when we are out of the Fathers will and things don't go our way or fails is our own fault.  GOD made everything perfect and we messed it up…We messed it up then, we mess it up now…The point of us existing is to be used to glorify HIS name…Period…
When GOD reminded HIS people to build the temple HE also said, “I am with you.”  Does GOD say that and leave us high and dry?  No, HE wants us to be obedient to HIS will, so that HE can freely give us all that HE knows we need, for whatever HE calls us to do…So how will I know what the LORDS will is for my daily life?  Be in a relationship with HIM as a father is to his child and HE will let you know…
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you… John 15:7 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

365-38, 39


This is pretty much what it's like on my husbands days off...Everyone seems to get into goofball mode...Even mom...They rub off on me! And I love it!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

365-36,37


The lighting on this one was fun to play around with...Not to mention my kids love these books...They are great apologetic books for kids...Hmmm, did I say that right?

Friday, February 4, 2011

365-35

I can't take the credit for making the Lego family, that goes to my boy Mikey for being so creative.  He came in while I was playing around with lighting techniques and said, "Hey Mom, take a picture of our family camping." Soooo, stinkin cute...Yes, that is a camp fire. LOL.

365-34

The camera I have is not the greatest, but I'm so grateful to my friend for lending me one until I'm able to by another.  Although, at this moment I can't take a picture to save my life, I'm having fun trying.  I'm also, having a blast playing around with this Picnik.com program that cost $24.95 for the year!! It's no Photoshop by any means, but I'm enjoying the practice.

365-33

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

365-32

I know I'm not as good as Brooke Martin Photography, but she did give some fun tips on her blog...I think it looks kind of cool considering, the camera, the picture taker, and the photo enhancer :) I had fun doing it...