Thursday Thanks Tank #13 (filling up the tank with thanks)

I've got to do a quick Thanks Tank today. Papa has been lovingly complaining/teasing me about my blogging lately. He's gone to Home Depot and now is my chance! ;) And of course, I can't get blogger to cooperate and let me post Peach's cute tag at the top! Oh well!

I'm thankful for:

1. My country - United States of America. We have so many opportunities here.

2. My freedom - especially my freedom to worship Jesus! I can't imagine living in a country were this is forbidden!

3. Those who fight for my country! Thank you to all who do and have ever fought to keep our country safe!

4. Fireworks - being over! They make me a nervous wreck when the young kids are shooting them at each other, etc... I like the pretty ones, but they can be so dangerous!

5. God's provision. Sometimes I get so concern about our finances and not being able to pay what we need to pay next week. Somehow, He always takes care of us! I must trust more!

6. Time off. We will start school again soon, but I'm enjoying these days off - sleeping in, playing more games, reading more books, and just doing pretty much whatever we want to do!

7. Discipline charts! This is a funny one, I guess. We decided that it was time to have a "crackdown" once again at our house. This always works wonders around here! We define what areas the kids need to work on and we determine what the consequences will be for those things and we "crackdown". Every time they do those things, they get the consequence. The good thing is, we don't get impatient or angry with them. We can calmly refer to the "crackdown chart" to see what is their consequence. This puts the focus on their choice to do the behaviors.

8. Organization. I really love to be organized! Papa, not so much (to say the least!). I've managed to get a little area in our bedroom (my desk) cleaned off and a bit more organized. It feels good to have at least a little area under control! I've been re-organizing the office at work too. It's good for everyone!

9. Friends moving closer! I'm not saying who, but someone I love very much is moving closer to me! Instead of like a 9 hour drive, it will be a 3 hour drive, with a lovely city halfway between! I miss her so much and can't wait to see her again...

10. Things to look forward to! Like VBS next week (and possibly a date night with Papa?), like a trip to Ohio to see my grandmother in August (although, I will be taking my 3 children and traveling alone...).

What are you thankful for this Thursday in July?

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." --Hebrews 12:28

Works for Me: baby beds

I'm new at this - and excited to be doing it! I've got lots of ideas! (well, today at least!) I'll start with my favorite baby advice!

Some of the best advice I got when pregnant with my first baby was not parenting advice! (I just love practical advice, don't you?) I have never forgotten the sweet lady who recommended this to me, and I highly recommend it!

You know how baby always spits up, or the diaper leaks or some kind of mess always occurs in the crib? Of course, it's always in the middle of the night when you are trying to wake up, balance the baby in one arm and change the sheets with the other! And of course, you have to take off the mobile and the crib bumper and any other fun & stimulating toy that is attached. Of course, they make these really neat things that you can tie across the bed, but that only works until they baby can't move! Here's my Works for Me! (Well, it worked for me, since I have big kids now!)

Layer the crib mattress as such: crib liner, sheet, crib liner, sheet. Then when you need to change the sheet, you just pull off the top layer and voila! You have a clean bed!

Where I live (part 6)

I know, this is getting a bit long. It’s therapy, cheap therapy. Bear with me… This should be “the rest of the story”…at least as far as I’ve lived it so far!

God broke me and set me free at our new church. Each Sunday, through the music and worship and word, he kept reminding me that He was there and that He did love me. He told me that I was free to believe whatever I wanted, to do whatever I wanted, but that He wanted me. He keeps telling me and must keep telling me, because I am weak.

I didn’t realize how much I depended on my family of believers to hold me up in my faith, until they were gone! I still don’t have that and sooo desperately desire it. Be sure to be thankful for those Christian friends around you! Don’t take them for granted like I did! I miss them so much now!

And so, now here we are. We have been talking about moving. After two years, I still don’t know why I am here. We felt like God was going to do big things through us when we came. I was ready to bust in here and turn this place upside down!

Have I made a huge impact on this place like I thought we would? No.

Have I made a small impact on a few people? I certainly think so. And it is worth it for one person!

Has God made an impact on me through us living here? Oh. Maybe that is why I live here….

Where I live (part 5)

This is a continuation of the story from last week. You might want to go back and "catch up".

Yes, it was hard to leave our church family in January 2005. But remember, God knew this was coming. It was His plan for us and He prepared us for it.

We began searching for a church in the area of our new home. We looked and looked. We couldn’t find one that was racially diverse, Bible based, and nearby. It was very frustrating for me at times. Again, comes the question, “God, why do you have us here?”

That summer, several families moved away from our street, including all the children! At least half of the houses on our street were empty. Those that were full, mostly had single disabled or elderly. And so, we began having street parties! We had a barbeque, a holiday dinner…

It took until August 2006 to get us to the church we are now at. It is diverse and Bible-based, but it is not nearby. It is actually very close to our old church! It has fulfilled a need for our family to be in a church where we can worship and hear a steady word of truth. We immediately built a relationship with their small group pastor – he expressing his willingness to help us with our ministry here. And then it was announced one Sunday that he was gone and was not coming back. Again, “God, why do you have us here?”

Something that I have left out, that needs to be said, is our marital problems during these two years! This became the most difficult times in our marriage. We have never fought like we did in a certain 6 month period. It was just awful. This hurt my walk with the Lord more than anything else. I felt like He had picked me up and put me where I wouldn’t know anyone, where no one would be there for me and just abandoned me. This was the most difficult struggle in my whole life. I questioned everything I thought I believed.

Sunday Scripture

"Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time." Deuteronomy 4:40

Happy Birthday, America!!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Automobile

This week's theme is "automobile". I had a hard time finding a picture for this and decided on one I already had! I like this picture because somehow it looks like they are actually moving (maybe it is my bad cropping!?).

Where I live (part 4)

We moved in April 2004. We settled in to our new home, unpacked and began meeting our neighbors. I was amazed at how easy it was to meet people! All you have to do is sit on your front porch! People walk by all day and talk to you! I was quickly invited to a women’s party on our street, as well as became the street “mom” to all the children (I loved sitting outside and giving them unlimited attention and an occasional popsicle. Some of them seemed starving for attention!).

My expectations were squashed! I felt sure that we wouldn’t be welcomed, but found the exact opposite! I had never felt more welcomed so quickly in a neighborhood before! I was ashamed. The things that I thought about these people were so wrong! I thought they were needy people. But, they aren’t any different than any one else! They have been treated as if they are, and at times get offended by that. Funny, but I’ve felt offended at times too (like when a ministry from out of state delivered boxes of food door to door and I tried to refuse one, and they wouldn’t let me – treating me as if it was just my pride, instead of my real reason of wanting it to go to someone more in need. The thing is, I don’t think that any of my neighbors were in “need” of this food. It was just assumed they were!).

And so, we went about building relationships and praying for our neighbors, excited about our new church that was to open in little more than a year now. I prayed daily for God to give me an opportunity to share His Son with someone in my neighborhood. He answered me with the children. There were so many of them. Four siblings from one home were especially dear to me. My Game Master started school that fall and I helped one day each week. I loved being near to him (we’d homeschooled for the two years prior), and I loved being there for all the children. I was involved as much as I could be.

Towards the end of that year, we had a meeting with our pastor and our future pastor (the one who was preparing to start the new church) and were told that they had a change of direction and would not be planting a church in that area after all. We were disappointed, but knew that God wanted us there and that He wanted us to leave that church to be with one that would support our ministry there.

Sorry! I'll return to the story on Monday! I'm going to do the Saturday Photo Hunt tomorrow! Have a good weekend!

Where I live (part 3)

I know today is Thursday and traditionally I do "Thursday Thanks Tank". I'm taking a break this week to continue my story... (but I'm still thankful!!)


CENTRAL
Our church had talked for a couple of years about feeling led by God to plant a church to inner-city Knoxville. Initially, I felt no desire to go and be apart. I was leading the women’s ministry and we were both so involved in church, I couldn’t imagine leaving! Papa began feeling a pull to help plant the church, but didn’t say anything at first. When I mentioned it, he just smiled.

It was a long process within to get me from “ain’t no way” to “I can’t wait”! God CAN work miracles. All of our church family knew that we felt called to move and live in the inner-city community, building relationships and ministering to our neighbors before the new church was planted. And so, this we did!

We found a house in MUCH need of some work – smack dab in the middle of an inner-city neighborhood. With a lot of help from friends, we cleaned up the house, gutted it, re-modeled it, and moved in. I remember our first night here – boxes EVERYWHERE, only the children’s beds set up (ours a mattress in the floor). Papa went for the last trip with a friend while I got the children in the bed. I hung blinds to cover the windows, feeling like everyone on the street could see me (they could!). It was so loud! I remember the boxes rattling together as cars passed on the street (from the bass booming!). I heard the sirens, as the fire department, police and ambulance responded to a call at a house just across the street!

I remember praying and asking God for His protection over us, fearing the worst, but trusting in the Only One Who Could Be Trusted.

Where I live (part 2)

NORTH
When we were married, we lived in North Knoxville. Well, really I guess it was NorthWest if you want to be specific. We had a cute little ranch house in a small neighborhood with great neighbors. I had bought this house while single and it was close to my job. Papa gained employment not far from there as well.

Along came Game Master, and it was a perfect size home for our family. After 3 years of marriage, we began attending a Christian church together and had a transformation in our marriage. This church was a pretty new, small fellowship that met in a middle school gym. It was very exciting being apart of the forming stages! We felt led to become more involved in our church by leading small groups. We needed more space to be able to do that (to allow for an extra room for childcare). And so we searched for a larger home closer to our church.

WEST
Since our church was located in West Knoxville, it made sense for us to be closer. We found the perfect split-foyer home in a nice subdivision. It was a beautiful wooded lot, very private with few neighbors – very quiet. It was ideal for having the adult small groups upstairs and the children downstairs. We proceeded to have many small groups meet at our home. We had a couples group almost the whole time we lived there – they were our family! Papa led a men’s group. I led two women’s groups. There was a student’s group that used our basement for their meeting location for awhile. Papa and I both discipled many individuals & couples in this home as well. Everyone knew that our home was intended for ministry! During our time there, Candy Man & Pretty Princess joined our family. There were always people at our home! We loved them all!

More next time about our current location…

Where I live (part 1)

This week I am going to explore why I live where I live. This is a question I’ve been asking myself and God for the past two years. Through this, I hope to gain better insight into why I am here.

A little over two years ago, we moved to an inner-city neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee. We did this as a result of feeling led by God to be in the neighborhood to help our church start a new church nearby. At least, that is what we thought…

I’ll start with Knoxville, Tennessee. Why do I live here?

My family moved here in 1980 (when I was just 9 years old) from a small town in southern Ohio. It was a transfer with my dad’s job and my parents wanted to raise me & my brother in a city where we’d have plenty of opportunities (they were both raised in small towns). I began the 4th grade with many struggles to catch up! We did have many more opportunities here than we would have in small town, Ohio. I am thankful that my parents made that decision.

I happen to love Knoxville! It is close to the mountains, the lakes, and the country, but still has the benefits of city living. And the people! It takes leaving here and coming back to realize how different the people are! It is a friendly city! You’ll always get a smile and a hello walking down the street or through the mall.

I also love that it is not a ‘flat’ city. It is very hilly. And there are trees and flowers all over! Again, I have to visit other cities to find that this isn’t the case everywhere. It is a colorful city. A growing city. A welcoming place to live.

I did go away for college – a small college town in Kentucky. This is where I met Papa. I didn’t like small town living and was glad to return to Knoxville! Papa and I were married 7 years after meeting in KY and chose to make our home in Knoxville, TN. We’ve been married 10 years now.

Have we considered leaving? Vaguely. There have been job offers for him to move to Florida. We prayed about these offers and both felt strongly that we were to stay here. Occasionally we have considered leaving to get away from “troubles”, but realized we’d only be taking our troubles with us.

And so we’ve stayed. We’ve lived in three different areas of town. North, West, and Central. I’ll talk more about that next time!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Love

This week's theme is LOVE!

--

There are so many ideas for this theme!

This is what I chose:

Sibling Love.

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When a brother sits down

and puts his arm around his sister

without being told to,

that is love!

Another brother's story:

This brother received this shirt (says "will trade sister for video game!") for his birthday. Once he read it, he became very upset about it, saying "I wouldn't trade my sister for anything!" And he gave the shirt back to his grandma!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Candy Man saying...

Candy Man has come up with one that has me stumped!

Grandma and Grandpa are coming to get the boys today to spend the night! I told Game Master and Candy Man that they had to finish their chores and take their showers before they could go. Candy Man said, “And brush our teeth?” I said, “Yes, of course.” And he said, “And do our lips?”

HUH???

Thursday Thanks Tank #12 (filling up the tank with thanks)

How are you today!? I've been putting off coming to write this! Each Thursday morning amazes me because I don't naturally have a thankful attitude! I NEVER want to do this post! Then I sit down and make myself do it. By the end, I have a thankful attitude. Let's see if it works this morning...

Let's see...(reflecting over the last week)... I am thankful for:

1. Breakfast with a good friend. Last week, I got to have breakfast and a couple hours with my good friend, Melanie. We don't get to see each other as much as we used to. I love her dearly and cherish each moment with her!

2. An awesome adoption agency. We delivered letters to our agency for them to send to Pretty Princess' birthparents. They are so nice and so supportive! Plus they found us our daughter!

3. A new bathing suit. Am I crazy? I must be! I haven't had a new suit in 3 years and have never really liked the one I had! I found one that I liked, for 50% off! I don't like wearing it, but I do love to swim, so I might as well wear one that I like better!!

4. A girl's scrapbooking night! I went to a "crop" on Friday night. It's always good to get out with other women and work on my scrapbook!!

5. A pool day. I took the kids to my parents for a swim day on Saturday. It was a fun day - swimming, splashing, and eating popsicles.

6. My father. I am thankful for my father. Our relationship hasn't always been the best father/daughter bond, but has improved over the years. For that I am thankful.

7. The father of my children. I am thankful for Papa. He spent several hours of Father's Day in the van with the children while I was in the emergency room with a dislocated/broken toe! Poor Papa!

8. A few days off. Isn't it funny how we always want what we don't have? When I am super busy, I just want a day off with nowhere to go and nothing that has to be done. When there is nothing to do, I 'm bored and want something to do or somewhere to go! Since the Father's Day accident, I've been forced to take it easy for a couple days. I've tried to be content in the circumstances!

9. God's presence. He is showing me that no matter where I am spiritually, He is the same. He is always there. He waits patiently for me.

10. Reminders. I need Thursday Thanks Tank to remind me to be thankful!

Now, what are you thankful for today?

"Devote yourselves to prayer,

being watchful

and thankful."

--Colossians 4:2

My favorite recipe!

I just have to share this recipe with you! It has to be the easiest thing I've ever made - and one of the yummiest!!

Thelma's Apple Brown Betty

------------------------------

Ingredients:

1 can apple pie filling

1 box Jiffy yellow cake mix

3/4 stick butter, melted

Directions:

In a 9x9 square dish, pour the pie filling & spread evenly. Sprinkle the cake mix on top. Pour the melted butter all over. DO NOT STIR! Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour (or until top is nicely browned).

* You can easily double this recipe into a 9x13 dish.

* I highly recommend serving this with vanilla ice cream!

I have to give the credit to my friend Thelma who brought this dessert over one night to us! I am not a big dessert eater, but this was sooo good! I was shocked when I found out how easy it is!

Enjoy!

!@#$%^$#^&*^&(%^&&@$!

Ouch! I hurt myself! I'm such a big baby, I know!

I was playing around with my kids yesterday afternoon, chasing Game Master through the house, and I accidentally stepped on the back of his foot. I looked down and saw that my middle toe was WAY dislocated (nasty!!).

So we ended up spending several hours of Father's Day at the hospital emergency room! (Poor Papa!)

Turns out that my poor toe was dislocated and apparantly broken too! The doctor saw a bone chip on the x-ray. So, today, I get to see an orthopedic surgeon.

My foot was put in a "boot" and I was given crutches (all for a little toe!).




Can I just say that for such a small body part - it hurts sooo bad!!!

Sunday Scripture

"Honor your father and mother"—

which is the first commandment

with a promise—

that it may go well with you

and that you may enjoy

long life on the earth."

--Ephesians 6:2,3

-----------------------------------------

I thought this was an

appropriate scripture this

Father's Day Sunday!

Happy Father's Day!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Sports

Join us for the Photo Hunt!

This week's photo theme is sports (in honor of Father's Day).

It just so happens that my boys went to the Charlotte Eagles Soccer Camp this week. The Charlotte Eagles are a pro soccer team. They have a Christian soccer camp every summer!
The older kids are put on 'world' teams to compete, just like the real World Cup!
My oldest son, Game Master, was placed on the "Italy" team. He was thrilled to be on "Coach Josh's" team again this year!

The best news:

Italy won the World Cup!!

(Well, my Italy, anyway!)

Thursday Thanks Tank #11 (filling up the tank with thanks)

I have much to be thankful for! I have seen others around me in pain, ill, depressed, and even hungry. I will chose to be thankful for...

1. A well checkup for Pretty Princess. She is growing well, doing well, right on target. This is a blessing! With our adoption, her birthmother received no prenatal care. We are unsure of any alcohol/drug use during pregnancy. Princess was born 5 weeks premature. We were (and are) willing to deal with anything that comes up, but are blessed with a healthy four year old girl!

2. A night with an 'old' friend! I was honored to have my good friend from Ohio here for her birthday! It was a short visit - just one evening - but a much needed girls night for me. I miss her more than I imagined I would when she moved...

3. A good surgery outcome. My friend "Thelma" had a hysterectomy on Friday and got through surgery just fine. I was able to visit her several times over the course of the weekend (the hospital is close and Papa had a weird schedule) and even make them dinner on Sunday when she came home.

4. A wonderful babysitter. We rarely get a babysitter anymore, but when we do - we are so blessed to have the one we have! She is so good with the kids! We don't have to worry that she will let them get away with anything. She is firm and loving!

5. A date with Papa. Yes, we got the babysitter for the date! You can read about it in yesterday's post!

6. A week with kids' at day camp. I love my kids! I mean I REALLY love them. Occasionally, it is nice for them to have somewhere to go without me though. It is good for them and good for me!

7. An opportunity to serve others. With Thelma's surgery and her living next door, it has given me a chance to love on her a bit. I have enjoyed being able to sit with her, buy her stuff, cook for her (I took her hot banana nut bread yesterday evening!). It feels good to be there for others!

8. Special time with Pretty Princess! Yesterday morning after taking the boys to camp, Princess and I went to the mall (to get Game Master's glasses fixed - again!). We only had a few hours before we had to be back to pick up Candy Man (he gets done earlier than Game Master). So we went window shopping at the mall! I let her pick what we looked at (making it clear that we weren't buying anything). It was really fun! Each time we'd leave a store, she'd say, "Mommy, let's go to another store!"

9. Pretty Princess' birthparents. As we have celebrated her fourth birthday and her "gotcha day" is approaching, they are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. I finished update letters to send to them and got several pictures from the last year ready as well. We will take them to the adoption agency today to be sent to them. God bless them.

10. Jesus, my Lord. In the midst of a busy week, I can neglect Him, but He refuses to neglect me. Thankfully.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

--Colossians 2:6,7

"Thursday Thanks Tank" originates at Just Peachy's blog site. Go check it out!

I went on a date!

Yes, I did! I went on a date with my husband Sunday evening. We actually spent a small fortune on two concert tickets and a babysitter! We had great seats - 5th row, center! The artist even jumped off stage and came out and stood in a seat just in front of us.

Now, I'm not all into music artists or 'stars' or anything like that. I have a friend who is, but not me. (The only concerts I've been to are All 4 One, and Aerosmith. Scary, I know. Enough said.) Still, this was a very fun concert! I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Another thing, the music wasn't exactly the kind I normally listen to, but I do like some of their songs. My boys really love them! (Game Master was mad that he wasn't going.)

Any guesses on who we saw/heard?

Kirk Franklin! (Have you heard of him? He writes Contemporary Gospel Music - at times bordering on rap, R&B, hip-hop, rock, & jazz. Anyway, it's good Christian music. You can hear their music at his website.) We were their last stop on tour (that they started in February). They went on and on. It was really awesome! A nice evening!

It's Wacky Wednesday!!

Today is "Wacky Wednesday" at soccer camp! The boys and I had so much fun making their outfits last night! They were looking forward to playing in their 'shreds' today!!

Yes, they colored their fingernails black with a marker. Papa will be thrilled!!

You will be glad to know that I've come up with an idea to blog about! Keep watch in the next little bit for it!