Hmmmm!

Seems I have been away longer then I thought! Blogger removed the American and Christian flag picture from my design and will not let me add it. You can see the warning symbols of where they will not display what we have had there for years!!
Will be interesting to see how long it will be before my spiritual posts are deleted or censured.
My friends have left blogger, I may have to take my future posts elsewhere as well 🤔.

Popcorn Christianity

I have the privilege to teach the teen girls who come to our bus ministry at church. God has given me some amazing lessons over the years. I refuse to teach anything unless God gives it to me. 

The lesson this week was simple and practical, and I was able to share it first with a client yesterday, then today in class.

Today's lesson:

Each of us start out as simple seeds. When you add the oil and the heat of Holy Ghost conviction, you either burst out of your hard shell into new life, or you harden your hearts and refuse new life. Un popped kernels are a waste and end up burned and discarded (people who harden their hearts and refuse to be saved will be discarded into a burning hell...what a waste!) Matthew 13:18-23

As we allow God to use the oil and heat of trials and testing, we can burst into a full piece beautiful and enjoyable. (Romans 5:4-5) 

Some people do not respond well to trials and testing and will not grow into their full potential. Others let trials burn them, and leave them unpalatable and they waste away. 

Now popcorn is good, but tastes even better when you add butter and salt. Christianity is meant to be enjoyed and to give joy. No one enjoys stale popcorn either. Keep your relationship fresh, alive, and full of the Holy Ghost every day! (Psalm 45:7, Ezekiel 16:19,and Luke 14:34)

Lastly, popcorn is meant to be shared....are you sharing the good news of Christ's love?

Mark 16:15-16

Which piece of popcorn are you?

Picture was taken 7/16/16

Peace?!

This whole situation weighed so heavily on all of us. I begged God to help me stop stewing about it. Over a period of a whole week, He consistently answered that prayer with timely sermons. I begged Justin to listen to them. I even hoped Ted would listen to them since they helped me so much. I know they haven't yet, but Justin is doing better. Ted finally took a vacation, and I knew he would need to process everything including the unbelievable behavior that we endured. Unfortunately, his stewing got me stewing and losing sleep over it again. With so many unanswered questions, it's hard to just let it go.

  In the meantime, vacation has been good, but not looking forward to its swift approaching end. Puttered around the house, ran off to the mountains for a couple of days, helped pack up a missionary family heading to the field, and dressed up and went out on a fancy date last night. Tonight, we are going to check out some thrift stores and have a more casual date. With church activities the next two days, this is really the last day of vacation. 

It's hard work, trying to relax and not do anything. There is a huge list of things to do around the house, but Ted prayed last night that he and I would get some rest. I enjoy being bored since I so rarely have time to be bored. Ignoring all the projects is the only way to truly rest up. Today is the first day I have truly felt relaxed.

Until next time....

Summer Storms

This summer was intense! Not with bad weather as the title might suggest, but with the storms of life. 

June 

This month saw James home on leave from Korea before he headed to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for his next station.  Personality conflicts with his girlfriend kept us all wondering why they were even together. The night before he left, he admitted things werent right, but decided not to change them.  Our hearts remain burdened for his spiritual health and the future of their relationship.

July

Justin came home on leave from Korea, for 3 weeks.  He surprised his girlfriend and thus ensued a beautiful courtship with the promise of marriage in a year or so depending on his deployment schedule.  Before he left to head back to Korea he even picked out an engagement ring for her.  There was a huge kerfuffle among her close knit family and church, but God intervened and it seemed that all things were right and stronger.   His girl and I spent many hours discussing wedding plans and ideas and she we visited together as much as our schedule permitted. She started calling us Mom and Dad and spent time with us even after Justin left. 

August

August was one of the roughest months of my life.  I had prayed for Ted's job situatuion that would require him to be out of town to be delayed until after the boys left again.  God answered that prayer, but what ensued was a month where  Ted and I saw each other about 24 hours each week and most of those were sleeping or going to church.  I did not handle this separation very well.  Then Justin's little cat died and I had to bury it by myself.  God and I had many numerous talks,  I would often raise my voice, but He always remained calm and comforting. 

Justin's girl came last weekend to see us,  she had some concerns about their relationship, but I thought she was in for the duration.  She went to pick out his wedding band and look at rings with us last Friday.  

September

Unfortunately, in the middle of this week,  she started acting reallly strange and  called Justin yesterday and broke it off with him.  She has then gone to the extent of acting like none of us were ever in her life! I mourned for this all day yesterday and through the night,  and Ted and I have actively kept Justin bolstered through this shocking turn of events as he is 8,000 miles away and can't do anything.  Needless to say, this is yet another storm in this short summer time.  God has truly been my comfort.  

I also went back on my diet and have been trying to exercise and lose weight and stay healthy.   I also started a diary.  This way I can vent to God and put my thoughts on paper and not keep them bottled up inside.  I can then go back and see how God has worked these situations out or how He has taught me or consoled me through them.  We are earnestly praying for God to put Ted in a job that will not keep him out of home and church and family.  This job literally consumes him and he can't do anything about it. 

I had so many beautiful pictures I wanted to share from this summer, but with all that has happened just this week,  those pictures are just a memory of what could have been. 

I do not know what tomorrow will bring,  or how much the thunder will roll, or where the lightening will strike, but I am safe in the boat with Jesus, and I know I won't drown. My boat may be full of water, and seem like it's sinking, but I will just trust in God to get me to the other shore.

Sweets to the Sweet

Happy Mother's Day!

Give and Take

After a feeble attempt at a vacation, Ted was thrust neck deep into work. I too went back to work, and going to Crossroads Rescue Mission Jubilee at night. We encountered some drama that we knew would come eventually, but it doesn't make it any easier even when you know it's going to happen. It has been rough on both of us, but God gave me strength and peace. Ted came home last night, while I was at the Jubilee. When I came home, he was in a very flirty mood! It was good to see him taking a few moments to act carefree. He brought home a beautiful hyacinth tree, a huge bowl of chocolate truffles, and a gorgeous pendant and earring set. He also had written me a sweet letter thanking me for praying for him, and my humility. We then sat together on the couch cuddling and letting him talk over all that he has been dealing with this week. 

Do you earnestly pray for your spouse every day? Do you ask others to join you in praying for your spouse? It really matters and really makes a difference in your marriage and your lives.

Roller Coaster

It is already April 2015, and I sure haven't stayed up to date on blogging. Life is like a rollercoaster, and if it wasn't for God holding my hand, I would probably die of fright. 

I thought of trying to do individual posts highlighting each month or different events, but I would probably miss something  or get them all out of sequence.  January was the month we said goodbye to Justin as he headed to South Korea, but before he left we met the young lady that would soon become his girlfriend. What a blessing and joy it has been to have Amanda in our lives. We have had the privilege of meeting her mother already and our standards and beliefs are kindred. We are looking forward to many more memories made with this precious family. 

February was the month that Justin and Amanda decided to enter a relationship albeit long distance. Ted and I had a beautiful, romantic Valentines weekend.  We also took Tammy out for her birthday, including Cheyenne and Ken since we did not really get to celebrate their major milestones of turning 18 and 40 respectively.  Cheyenne graduates from high school next month. I had a hard time picturing this little girl becoming a lovely young lady all those years ago when Ken and Tammy adopted her. I am so blessed to have this sweet Princess in my life.

In March, Justin turned 21, and as a special surprise for him I asked family and friends to make birthday videos to share on facebook with him wishing him a happy birthday while he is in Korea. 

So after those brief important highlights we are caught up to April.  Ted bought me a beautiful Easter dress, and I felt like a Princess as we celebrated the Resurrection of the King!  A week ago we joined Amanda and her mother for a 2 day outing just to get to know each other and Justin joined us via skype. Then Ted and I ran off to the ocean together for a couple of days to celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary.  Definitely left us craving more time away. 

Upcoming events: James had heard that he is being transferred from Korea to Missouri in June.  He has put in for leave during June in hopes to come home for a few weeks.  We are waiting to hear if this is approved.  Justin is waiting for a dental appointment then will resubmit his leave time in hopes that he too can be home for a little bit in June. We do not know for sure if either leave will be approved or how many days they will have.  We are hoping they will both get to come home at the same time. Justin will have to go back to Korea though, and I am afraid that will be difficult for him.  Both boys are very homesick, but have adjusted pretty well to Korea.  James has found a talent for photography, and I hope he explores that further. 

Below are some pictures of this year's highlights. 

Valentines Weekend 2015

 Cheyenne's Homecoming Court

Birthdays celebrated at Maggiano's Chey -18, Tammy,  and Ken-40

Easter 2015

Justin and Amanda's first "date" 

Amanda and her mother Mrs. Kim. What a beautiful family serving the Lord together.

 Happy 23rd Anniversary

Cheyenne's cap and gown pictures, she will graduate next month. 

Hope yall enjoyed the news and pictures.