Now What?

Wow, so I was sitting here voraciously reading everything online that I could think of that would interest me. I have rotated the laundry, ate an early lunch, and meditated over one of my favorite authors and the book I just finished reading last night. As I sat here thinking about what to do next, I realized I was actually bored! How Exciting!! I so rarely get bored as I am always busy doing something or going somewhere. I love it when I get bored because of the odd rarity of it. It means I have finally slowed down enough to relax and have nothing pressing to do. Sure I have laundry to fold and put away, but as I have plenty more to wash I am not planning on doing that until later tonight.
Ted went to get Justin from Leadership Camp and plans to stop in at one of his stores to work on the way back. James isn't out of bed, the hummingbirds are still fighting over who gets to drink(such lessons you can learn by watching hummingbirds), and I blessedly have nothing to do.
I could shout and dance!!! I often pray for days like this, so - today I am so utterly grateful to be bored!!!! Now, let's see how long it lasts.....




PS. a couple of hours later an emu showed up slurping out of our fast drying mud puddle... aren't boring days cool?

Skip That!

Sitting here on a quiet Saturday morning, listening to the various hum of appliances and the skittering of our pets, I had to take a break from reading the news.

Last night in my devotional time I was reading God's promises of the Millennial reign to His chosen nation of Israel. This morning I am reading the news of massacres, uprisings, horrid abuse cases, diseases, politics, abductions, and general carnal mayhem. If you think this is bad, have you made plans to skip the Tribulation?
God's promises will all be fulfilled from beginning to end, and that includes the Tribulation- God's judgement on Israel and the earth for rejecting Him....
If you think this is pretty bad you ain't seen nothin' yet!!!

"This" is leading to "That" - Don't miss the Rapture, or you will not be skipping the Tribulation.

Onward Christian Soldiers!

This week will commemorate our beloved country's birthday. Last month we had the pleasure of being in Washington DC for a special Marine concert at a historic marine base in the heart of the Capitol. I have not written about that event, but thought it most appropriate to share some of that with you all today.
Ted hasn't had the chance to upload any of our personal pictures of that special evening, so I will post the link to the Marine base website and you can read the history with all it's pomp and circumstance.
http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/welcome.aspx
(Blogger is not letting me post this as a link so just copy and paste it into your browser search engine.)

I had never heard of this marine barracks in our nation's capitol, and being from a family of Marines it was such an honor to get to be there for that evening concert.

We met Ted's friend at the front gate, bypassed security check lines due to his rank and status and headed to the grandstand seating. After obtaining our seats in the farthest end of the VIP section, we headed to the lavoratory so as not to miss anything when the show began. As we went back to our original seating area, we could not locate Ted or his friend. After searching further down the stands, we found them in the VIP section closest to the center of the field, right next to the seating area for all of the elected officials and military elite.

Words can not express the atmosphere and the patriotism that permeated that parade ground that evening. The respect and honor given to our military, flag, country, and heroes was something we will never forget.
http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/eveningparade.aspx
(Remember you will need to copy and paste this link into your browser search bar)

At the closing of the concert, they lowered the flag and played TAPS..... I was struck by such a solemn, horrendous thought. Are they playing TAPS for our country????

I have pondered that sorrowful thought as I see the politics and media sending our nation into a spiritual abyss. This morning our Pastor made another illustration that pounded the same thought home. It's as if we as Christians here in the US are watching our beloved country go by in a funeral procession--and it means NOTHING to us.

Soldiers! awake.... it's time to fight for our country, our freedoms, our Faith, don't give in to defeat and enemy propaganda!!
ONWARD Christian Soldiers!!!

As I was doing a search for this picture posted below I accidentally typed " the Untied States of America" ..... Let's stay UNITED.... and never become "untied".

Born Tired

Morning.... well ok it's really evening, but I don't think I have woken up yet. I slept really hard last night, woke up normal time this morning. The plumber came long enough to get scared away by all the work that has to be done under the kitchen sink.

Ted tried really hard to take a day off with me. He ended up having to work alot from home, but he tried to imitate a couch potato in the meantime. I ate an early lunch and went to take a nap. Woke up because I felt guilty, but have no energy to do a single thing. Literally, total fatigue has been my overshadowing cloud all day. Ted isn't much better, it feels like a chore just to get up and move.
Are we sick??? I don't think so, I do think that we have just gone non-stop for so long that our bodies are giving out finally. Thinking of crawling back into bed and imitating Rip Van Winkle.... ok seriously, maybe I am getting sick... just want to crawl back into bed again.... not sure why I should feel guilty about that.

Father's Day 2012

Faithful




Affirming




Trustworthy




Helpful




Enduring




Respected




I am sooo blessed to have so many fathers in my life. First, my Heavenly Father Who is the Pure and Holy Example of what a father is. Then my earthly father who nurtured and loved me and took me to church and encouraged me to live for God. As I became an adult, I married a loving man who in turn became a father to our two boys. He has been a great dad! His father has been like a father to me as well, and I am thankful for that. Life brings triumphs and trials and God blessed us with Ronn who is another father to us as well! It is not often you get 4 godly fathers in your life at the same time.
To all my fathers, but most of all to my Heavenly Father I love You and bless You all on this day of remembrance.

Bits and Pieces

What a week!!! Let's go on a fast trip through time, shall we? Last weekend, Ted and I went on a "mini-cation" to Fredericksburg, VA. That actual time capsule I will blog about later, probably in segments. Today, a week later, I have much to be thankful for to God. James was involved in a vehicle accident this morning on his way to work. He is fine, but will have to go to traffic court as he was found at fault. He is hoping to be hired on full time at the plant he is working at in Gaffney, SC. Stay tuned for updates on that. Justin came home from his first week of camp full of stories and spiritual decisions. My niece also called to tell me that she had gotten saved and wanted to give her testimony in teen class tomorrow at Super Church. God answered many prayers in just a few short days. So, you are saying "well, that wasn't much", no, when put into words it does not begin to describe every day and every prayer and each moment of uncertainty. Neither does it give acclaim to every victorious triumph as God shows forth His plan on a daily basis. Nothing is left to chance, there are no coincidences. These few paragraphs are just a hint of a week's worth of events.... Fredericksburg in the next saga....

Da Blues

Wow, so I have officially finished homeschooling!!! What a long journey it has been, but we have never regretted the decision to do that even after all the long nights of pushing them through their math homework. Justin had a beautiful graduation ceremony, I can't wait to get the DVD. The message was very poignant and one of those memories you will always hang onto. The reception was great and the moment was still all too fleeting. Last night as I laid in bed, I couldn't sleep and I just started crying... My stress was finally at its leaking point. We have been going non-stop since April, and I was just plain overwhelmed. After a long day at work today, I came home to a gorgeous bouquet of yellow roses, a lovely bag of chocolate truffles , and a very sweet love letter from my husband thanking me for all my hard work as a mother and wife, etc. That stopped the leaky dam and I was finally able to let it all go! I started packing for my mini celebration that starts Thursday. I am so excited! I can't wait to zip my suitcase and take off with my husband for a couple of days of fun, relaxation, fellowship, and laughter with friends. Justin will get a few weeks at camp this summer as well, then he will say "goodbye to childhood" and "hello" to gainful employment. James was able to switch from the tree service company to a great temp. job with the employment agency. He is also gainfully employed and loving it. Ted stays very busy with work, but that's job security. Now, I just have to find time to finish my flower beds that we started back in April. It will be winter again before I get them finished! Well, back to laundry, and some new found relaxation and peace, and then finish packing my suitcase before another full day of work.