The Stain

So a while back.... when it was rainy and cool.. oh wait... it's still rainy and cool...

I was sitting on my bed one morning reading my bible study.

I had just gotten the perfect cup of steaming hot coffee. I had taken the time that morning to use my French Press which I am madly in love with. I used my delicious Berres Brothers highland grogg coffee.

And I was just getting comfortable....

When all of a sudden.....

SoMeHoW....

I spilled my steaming hot coffee all over me. all over my bed. all over my study book. all over my bible.

After I got it cleaned up, I sat back down and really couldn't even remember what had happened. It was like my hand lost all it's strength and just dropped the coffee.

I was a little upset bc I have permanent stains on my Bible. 

I was thinking about my stained Bible this morning as I was pondering over what I was recently involved in.

I was getting comfortable in a room with others when I said something about someone that I shouldn't have said. I didn't really mean to. It just came out without thinking.

I feel terrible about it.

I don't know really how to make amends.

I got to thinking about how our words once said, can never be taken back.

They are like my stained bible.

While I can try and clean up the mess.

The stain will always be there.

The stain on their reputations. Whether what I said was true or not. Their reputations are tarnished to the people I was talking to.

The stain on my reputation as a gossip.

 

What a lesson.

 

While I don't like the stain on my Bible. It is a good reminder. That sometimes. Things can't be made right..... like it had never happened.

 

It can be forgiven.

 

But sometimes the stain will be remembered.

The Beach

We - and when I say we - I mean 2 of my sisters and numerous children - spent a much needed day at the beach.

When I say beach - don't imagine a glorious ocean. Because I unfortunately don't live by the ocean.

When I say beach - don't be too impressed.

The "beach" had plenty of sand and sun and water. It wasn't crowded and we had a ton of fun.

^ that's what you should be jealous about. ;)

The weather has been less then impressive.

Raining for 4 days and then sunny for 1.

So we took advantage of the sunny day and loaded up and went.

We do have fun. This family of mine.

And just think  - there were 3 boys who were in the water at the time this picture was taken.

Do you like Emma's Barbie lips? Her Daddy might have a tattoo to match. Because that's how he rolls.

And what's a day at the beach without a little Pampered Chef swag?

Maybe I will get a tattoo of The Pampered Chef hat on my arm! ;)

 

We left when the beach closed. We were exhausted. Some of us ok I was sunburned. Again. You would think I would have learned from a week ago at the pool.

 

I might have fallen asleep that night at 9PM. I haven't been to bed that early in forever. ( I know you really wanted to know what time I really went to bed. ) File that under #thingsyouneedtoknow

 

We are spending today getting ready for a baby shower for my SIL. They had their 1st baby a couple weeks ago. How fun to have a new little cousin. Emma for sure is in baby heaven and has RE-named all her babies Audrey. I'm sure you can imagine why.

 

 

Lessons

Yes, I am still alive.

No, I don't want to look back and realize how long it's been since I posted. I will get depressed.

There are various reasons why I haven't posted in so long.

It's not for lack of things to say.

It's not for lack of incentive.

I have been in a place.... not a physical place... but a.... a place, that took me so far out of my comfort zone. Out of my element. That I think it took me a while to feel..... "normal," more like myself again.

I did what I thought I was supposed to do. Followed a path that seemed so perfect on the outside.

And I think I really was supposed to do it.

Because it taught me so much about who I am and about what I want.... or don't want.... out of this life.

It taught me a lot about God.

About how He really is with us each and every day.

About how He does care about us.

About how He does lead us and protect us against those who really want to harm us.

It taught me that sometimes.... people really aren't nice. That sometimes.... people seem so innocent, yet are wolves.... desperately trying to harm us.

It taught me to be stronger.

To stand up for myself.

To know how I want to be treated,

About how I want to treat others.

It taught me about.... INTEGRITY.

And CHARACTER ~ about doing what is right... when no one is looking.

It taught me that it is ok to walk away. That sometimes that's the best thing you can do.

It taught me that God knows my heart, and cares about me.

That he loves me desperately.

That He....always leads.

It taught me to trust him and follow... even when it just. doesn't. make. sense.

I am eternally GrAtEfUl for these lessons.

I can't say that I would walk through it again.

But on this side, I can see the reasons for it so much clearer.

I don't know what you are facing today.

But know that God has a reason for it.

He will turn ashes into beauty.

He will take what seems to be falling apart and hopeless and make it into something that will glorify and honor him. And you will be amazed.

You will see the absolute.... goodness.... of God. Because that is what he is.

God is just so wonderfully good.

On Swearing

Yes, I am going there.

Swearing.

everyone has there own opinion of what a swear word is or isn't. that isn't really what I am talking about.

I'm not going to debate on whether you should or shouldn't say crap or fart or stupid. I could care less.

I do think that there is a difference between taking the Lord's name in vain and swearing. There is never a reason to take the Lord's name in vain. When I say swearing, I am talking about those "bad words." Cuss words. Those little 4 letter words. Not gonna list em either.

When I was younger, I used to swear all the time. I thought it made me look cool. Stupid huh.

But now.

I have matured a tiny bit. And I really want to put away that kind of talk. I am honestly trying to have wholesome language. Those who know me well know this.

I think wholesome language isn't just.... not swearing. But also not talking about inappropriate things at inappropriate times.

That one gets me.

For the sake of being honest, I struggle with crude talk. I used to think that talking dirty was funny.

But well... Then God....

And I don't mean "Then God" like He's all up there trying to take the fun out of things.

I mean it in the sense that when you ask him to make you more like him and to change you into a better person, don't be surprised when He shows you some things about yourself that need to be changed.

Ephesians 5:3&4 - But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

It has been a process, and I don't really know if I am winning the battle, but I am trying to put a bridle in my mouth when these jokes are the 1st thing that pops into my mind. I think sometimes I fail more then I win. Trust me.

A couple months ago I was having a conversation with my Mom, sisters and my nieces. We were talking about swearing. 1 of my nieces had posted a swear word on a social media site and I had commented to her about it. I told her why it wasn't appropriate and why we as Christians should abstain from swearing.

The girls listened. But I don't know if it changed anything.  I was kinda staunch in my thoughts and feelings towards the girls, kind... but not really understanding. I wasn't in an environment where I had to listen to it day in and day out. My friends and family don't talk like that and so it isn't in my ear all the time.

Fast forward a couple months.

I was at a local high school with Maddie at some auditions for next year, and while she was doing what she was doing, I was listening and watching what was going on around me. ( I love to people watch. You learn so very much! ) And I was literally taken aback by all the vulgar and foul language going on around me. These kids were talking like sailors. It was such filth that it actually made me blush.

This isn't the 1st time that I have experienced such talk on school grounds. While at Nathan's soccer practice, I was surprised to hear the kids swearing ( the f bomb ) and the coaches not doing anything about it. And for people reading this, don't dare think that this is a Christian school / private school thing. It's not. It's just the kids at a Christian school don't do it around teachers.

Fast forward to now.

Now I have a new job. I work with a bunch of men. It's just me and the other secretary (who is a woman) and the language that is in my ear and in my head now is constant.

I have a whole new perspective on swearing.

Because I listen to it on such regular basis I have caught myself in just day to day conversation on the verge of saying words that I don't normally say.

I have a little bit more understanding for my kids. They are inundated with such filth, that they have to be taught to renew their mind daily in order to even have a fighting chance to stop it.

1 Peter 4:11a - If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Proverbs 21:23 - He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

Proversbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

There are so many more verses on what the Bible has to say about our speech.

I don't say all of this to condemn people who swear. Truly that is not why I wrote this. The words that come out of your mouth are between you and God.

I wrote this to say this... that I am grateful for the insight that I have now on this subject and how I can understand a little better the world that my children live in. Maybe instead of disciplining the kids for every infraction, we should have some in depth conversations about why we do or don't do things. That was the absolute hardest thing for me as a teenager. Being told not to do something made me want to go out and do it. ( I know.... I was rebellious ) but don't tell me not to do something and then not give me a reason why I couldn't do it. The because I said so didn't work so hot with me. Half the time I just thought the adult telling me that didn't really have a good reason. ( don't feel like I am doggin on my parents, bc I don't really feel like they did that. I am talking about adults in general.)

I went to a public school for most of my school years. It is a completely different place now for my kids then when I was in school. ( and please don't turn this into a homeschool/private school/public school debate. I believe that is a personal choice and we should each seek God's leading in where we send our kids. And I believe that God has my kids right where He wants them. I believe that Christians need to be in the school systems. )

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I don't know what the answer to this is. I really don't. I want them to know how to be in the world but not of it. I want them to spend some time in the word daily renewing their minds. And I want  to know and Love Jesus Christ.

And I know that I want my home to be a haven for my little family. That after a long day of all this ugly stuff being thrown at us that we can come HoMe and show each other some love and some GrAcE and some PeaCe. And that has never been so clear to me as now. That my home will be full of warmth and laughter and that that is what my kids will remember. I want it to be a place they want to come to instead of a place they want to leave.

Weeping may endure for a night.....

I was talking to my friend quite a while ago. We were sharing things about our lives as good friends often do. She said something that has never really left me.

We were talking about this verse....
Psalm 30:5b - weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

We were both kinda going through a season of weeping. Where everything looked like it was falling apart and we just didn't understand why.

I think I made the comment "but our joy is coming."

She said something like "is it? We aren't promised anything until we get to heaven."

I didn't know how to answer her.

Because I was wondering if she was kinda right.

God's word is so full of promises. Things we can cling to, but we may never see come to fruition in our life time.

My favorite stories in the bible is the stories of the Isrealites and how God brought them out of Egypt, how he brought them through 40 years of wandering in the desert bc of their sin and how he brought them into the promise land, about how God fought for them in the promise land. I love how God supplied their every need during the whole time. But yet they grumbled and complained and still turned from him. And how God would bring them back to him every time. Deuteronomy 30 is one of my favorite chapters and one that I try and apply my life to even still. You have a choice, to choose life or to choose death. The choice is yours.

Vs 19-20 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses, Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him, For the Lord is your life and he will give you many years in the land he swore he will give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Doesn't that give you chills??

I have come back to these verses many many times since I first read it.

How do I put into practice these things? How do I choose life?

Vs 16 - For I command your today to love the Lord your God to walk in obedience to him and to keep his commands decrees and laws then you will live and increase and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

These verses have been a balm to me. They truly have. There have been so many times when I have fretted over different things, about making a decision or what should I do or where should I go or whatever it may be.....

But I really don't have to fret over it.

I just have to obey today what God is telling me to do. I just have to seek him today. To love him today. And tomorrow will work out.

So what does this all have to do with joy comes in the morning??

It has been a while since I have had that conversation with my friend.

Our little family has been through it. Our "season of weeping" while hard, and seemingly unending at times....

I have seen JoY.

Amazing joy.

I have seen God do some incredible things in our life. Things that only God himself could do. He has stilled the raging waters. He has turned the desert into a lush pastures.

I LoVe Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.

I think the key to it all is finding the joy in the weeping.

Because it's there.

I promise.

Look for it today.

I know at times it hard to see any good come from your situation.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

But good will come. One day you will see it.

In those dark days, when you think you can barely hold your head above the water think of these verses:

Deuteronomy 31:8 - The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you, Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.

Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

You will go through hard times in your life. Seasons of weeping, sometimes seemingly unending seasons.

They will not overwhelm you, you will not be burned, it will not consume you.

One of the hardest things you will ever have to do, but is one of the best things you can do is this:

1 Thes 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

In everything. give thanks.

When one of your best friends dies of cancer.

Give thanks.

Because she is now with her heavenly father. Pain free.

When your husband loses his job. again.

Give thanks.

Because God has something different in store.

When you can't pay that bill.

Give thanks.

Because God promises that he will meet your every need.

And he will.

Even  when you don't see how.

joy will come.

and give thanks when it does.

So while God's word is full of promises that I am never see in my life, I do know that when he says that life can be found in choosing His way, I'm going to believe it.

From the last couple weeks....

Guess who has a new bed? Doesn't she look thrilled? Bed time has now turned into play time. I miss her crib. Very very much. She went from sleeping 12 hours a night to now sleeping maybe 8.

We went to the apple orchard a while back. We needed some cider and donuts. We ran into some dear friends and stood and talked a while. It was fun catching up.

We had a small group function a couple weeks ago. These 2 are pretty cool. When I 1st started going to bible study at our church almost 3 years ago. Jen was my table leader. She made me feel welcome and loved. We had have some pretty good discussions. I love knowing I can talk to her.  She's open and honest and ready to pray with you and for you.

Emma wanted to dress herself.

I let her.

We went to walmart.

We fit in.

Pick your battles.

These kids. Are loud. And kinda stinky. They are constantly running from 1 house to the other, tracking in mud and dirt and always eating food and drinking soda. But I am glad Nathan has his friends. They are good kids.

This girl found my high heals.  So did Nathan, but I'm not allowed to post that picture. He wonders how women can walk in them. ;)

My titles for this blog should be:

It's like there was a wedding or something...

OR

I'm only a month late.

You can choose which one. Lol

I love wedding's. So very much. They are just so happy. And they bring people together. Friends and family who you haven't seen in so very long.

Janelle's wedding could not have been more beautiful.

I don't have a camera. So my phone pictures will have to do.

Emma couldn't wait to see Janelle in her dress. She wanted Janelle to twirl.

 

Something borrowed...

 

There is something I love about this picture.

Janelle has become so very dear to me in these last couple of years.

It has been pretty cool to see how God brought her and Andy together.

(man we look alike)

Here's the 3 stooges....

And no Maddie and Elisa did not plan to wear the same outfit!

I might have cried when she walked down the aisle. Andy might have also.

They held hands the whole ceremony.

Andy was sick. He came down with a terrible cold. You could tell he didn't feel well.

The kiss......

But 1st..... let me take a selfie....

I am so glad my brother and Melanie got to come to the wedding. It was wonderful seeing them.

My siblings......

I love this picture. I know it's terrible quality, but I just love it so.

And this picture....

Isn't it great!! 

This girl....

I spared you the picture of his tongue down my throat. Your welcome. I mean, not that we would ever take a picture like that. 16 years. I still love him, and he still kinda loves me.

No one expected this to happen......

Meet Emma's friend.... Elizabeth.

These 2 could get into a lot of trouble together.

So could these 2....

What a JoY

It's not often, that I get to be the one to show up at some one's door and bless them with something. I have often wondered why that is.. am I not looking to help people? Are my eyes not open with compassion on other's? For I know that there are people all around me that need help. All. The. Time. Sometimes I just think..... there isn't much I can do.

But I love the times when I CAN do something. When my eyes are opened to see others. I pray that I become more like this.

And I was able to today.

I won't go into the details, for it isn't my story to tell.

But I was able to see how God has blessed me with some new kitchen tools and I was in turn able to bless someone else.

It was so. much. FuN.

I took great joy in it.

To see a need and know you can meet it.

Keep your eyes open friends to how you can be of use, because you are useful.

If I had a title it would go here.....

Can we take a minute to talk about garden hoses?? They have been the bane of my existence. ( dramatic?? maybe. Truth? absolutely.)

I hate dragging the heavy things around and then they get kinked and you have to stomp back and figure out where the kink is and fix it. I usually end up so angry at the end of attempting to water that it is just easier to avoid watering altogether.

I have a solution.

The pocket hose.

It is a thing of wonder.

Truly.

It is lightweight and does not kink.

I just need 2 of them.

It has put me in my happy place of gardening.


Anyway.

That's my tip for the day. Hope you enjoy.

This has been a busy week. It's only August, but it is actually starting to feel like summer. I don't know why it took so long to actually feel like summer.

We have spent 2 days this week at either the lake or the pool. It seems to put me in my happy place. I have missed the liquid babysitter.

Monday we spent the day at the lake with Joanna and the kids.

As soon as I told Emma what we were doing, she "oh my dosh, I so escited." I looked at her and she had this dumbfounded look on her face. It was pretty cute. Anything that involves her cousin "ei" she is all for!

She spent the day building sand castles with Elisa and laying on her princess towel. Oh the life of a 2 year old.

The boys spent the day pestering the girls and sliding down this slide. We were the only people that day at the lake, so the kids took full advantage of it.

After Maddie buried Elisa in the sand, Emma decided she wanted to be buried in the sand. I didn't think she would stand for it, but she did. She was there for about 20 min patiently waiting to be buried.

Yesterday was spent at a local pool. We were given free passes. I let Emma skip her nap, and while the other kids dove off the diving board, Emma and I went to the kiddy area. Emma swam like a fish and even got enough courage to go down the big slide. ( I of course, failed to get a picture. )

We went with our neighbor and her boys. So it was nice to have another Mom to talk to.

It was also Maddie's birthday yesterday.

The big 13!

Grandma Gail stopped by on her way to work to bring her balloons. She took her out last week for new clothes for her birthday.  She was able to find some really cute bargains.

 

I can't believe that Maddie Girl is 13. All those typical sayings keep coming back to my mind; "where did 13 years go?" "Wasn't it just yesterday she was born?" "It all goes so fast."

And it does go fast.

Does anyone get overcome with a deep sadness as your kids grow and hit these major milestones?

I was just kinda sad all day yesterday.

Maddie's party is Friday night, and I know she is looking forward to that.

Today, Melissa and the girls were able to come over. My shopping spree order was delivered today and the girls insisted on helping me open the boxes.

 I should have done it much sooner bc the girls loved to play in the boxes. That kept them entertained for quite a while.

These girls are so fun. I am so glad they have each other. And I am so glad to count Melissa as a true friend.

It's all around been a good week so far.

The Pampered Chef

3 months ago, I signed up for a... what I believe to be.... life changing experience.

I signed up to be a Pampered Chef Consultant.

I was introduced to the Pampered Chef probably 6-7 years ago. I fell in love with the company and the products right away.

The idea to sell has flitted through my mind, but it was never the right time.

With Jeremy's job being what is was during the spring, I was looking for the possibility of doing some supplemental income. I didn't know what that looked like. I just knew that I wanted to make money while still being home with my kids.

With my passion for cooking, one morning I was talking to God with the thought of Pampered Chef in my mind. I wondered if it was maybe a good time to actually look into this opportunity. But I told God that I didn't want to do anything that wasn't in tune with what He wanted for my life. I told Him that He would have to actually lead and guide me.

Well He did.

4 hours later......

Ellen, who was my high school teacher messaged me on Facebook.

I haven't really seen Ellen in the time since I graduated. I have only ran into her occasionally.

She asked me if I was ever interested in selling Pampered Chef.

Short, sweet and to the point.

I think I might have laughed right out loud.

I said... funny thing..... I have actually been thinking about it this very morning.

I  talked with Jeremy, who was probably a little skeptical but very supportive.

When making major life decisions, I try to take the decision before God and get some leading and some peace.

I quickly went to my Maker for some leading. And did I get it.

1 Samuel 7:3 - Nathan replied to the King, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you."

Isaiah 43:19 - See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness & streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 42:16 - I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them & make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

If this wasn't enough, I wanted to make no mistake that the Lord was in it. So I put out a fleece. I said I would do this if.....

And the IF came.

It was quite remarkable.

Less then a week later, I took the step and signed up.

And boy am I glad I did.

What a ride this has been so far.

I have some pretty amazing friends and family who have helped me get started on this journey and I am so thankful for them.

Through the Pampered Chef platform, I have been able to meet some pretty fantastic people, and I am looking forward to being able to meet many more.

I was just able to go to the  The Pampered Chef National Convention, which was held in Louisville, Kentucky.

I am not much or a "world traveler," so I was pretty excited just to be able to get out and enjoy this great nation. (sounds cheesy, I know, but it's true. This girl has never even flown. Shocked?)

 

 

I was able to meet some pretty fantastic people with some pretty similar goals in mind.

I don't know if I have ever been so sure that I was SuPpOsEd to be in a certain place for a certain time then that weekend. On Wednesday before I left, I started to question whether or not I should go. I saw my checkbook and thought.... I don't know about this Lord. I truly want to go, but I don't know how this will work.

While I was on my way to the bank, I was listening to the radio and a lady was talking and she made this statement..... if you are wondering about how you are going to get somewhere, just trust God to get you there. With tears in my eyes, I knew that that was meant for me to hear.

So off I went on a grand adventure.

I was looking forward to really immersing myself in the company and doing some in depth training.

And boy did I get it.

Ellen has talked to me about what my dream is. Do I have a dream? I didn't know how to answer that.

So I was really praying and hoping that I would get something to dream about.

Before going on this trip, I would think about actually going further in this company and I leaned more toward the Doubting Thomas side of life.

But now.

Now, my outlook has totally changed.

I feel like I have a fire now. The passion for not only this product but for how this can change other peoples life, like it has already changed mine.

I learned so much while I was in Kentucky. And I am so very excited about the direction that the company is going.

Can I tell you that I pretty much work for the greatest company? See all this?? This is great products that I was able to get either free or at a HuGe discount. I have another box coming my way as well.

And can I also mention that earned a $400 shopping spree with Pampered Chef!!!!!!! I don't think I can begin to tell you how excited I am. I am making my wish list and will placing my order very shortly.

I hope that you don't feel as if I am bragging. That really isn't my goal.  I just am in wonder about how God can take absolutely NoThInG, and turn it into SoMeThIng.

If you are struggling with something, don't hesitate. Walk in obedience with what you KnOw God is telling you to do. You will never regret that.

Thursday Ramblings...

Oh my word.

I cannot brag enough about the roast in the deep covered baker. You can get it here.

When Jeremy walked into the house, he said "You can smell that all the way by the alley, I was hoping it was coming from our house. " Isn't that what all cooks like to hear?

When the roast was done, He proceeded to stand over the roast with a fork and pick at it.

Between Jeremy, and 4 boys (the neighbor kids stopped by) , there wasn't much left when I got home from my party. :)

So yes, I think it was a resounding success.

Yesterday, I was able to try a new Pampered Chef recipe that is coming out in the fall. It's a risotto dish that is made in the rockcrok. you can see it here.  Since my stove is broken, (it really is a shame for someone who likes to cook, hopefully its a quick fix.) I decided to make it on the grill. ( I could have made it in the microwave, but since I had the grill on, I thought why not! )

Jeremy may or may not have had 4 helpings.

And yes, it was that good.

In other cooking/baking news

 

This happened last night. Here is the recipe.

 

Thanks pinterest.

 

It was a delight after a long day smothered with vanilla ice cream.

 

Today will be filled with doing more laundry. And at some point going to the park. I promised Emma we would go. She is pretty excited. She can't wait to swing on the swings and slide down the slide.

 

Anyone else loving this weather? It's been perfect for me.

 

Well, I am off. Have a blessed day.

 

Just a Tuesday in July

I was Betty Crocker this morning. *pat on back

I made homemade granola. Here is the recipe.

It is in the oven still, but I am very anxious to see how it turned out.

I have decided upon recent weight gain that it is time to start doing something about it again.

I went to the gym yesterday. *again. pat on back

I haven't went since May. ok. Maybe April. Whenever Tancy went on her magical cruise. That's the last time I was there. *no pat on back here.

I have biked. But not regularly.

Anyway. Enough about that.

As you may know, I have 2 dogs. And my house smells like a pound. ( It probably doesn't, but... well I would hate for people to walk in and think... oh I smell putrid dog. ) So I thought I would spiffy up my couches. I wish I could just throw them right in the washer and then hang them on the clothes line for some real added freshness. But since that's possible, I don't quite know how to clean them. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know.

My dogs aren't allowed on the furniture, but they still end up smelling like dogs. *gag me

Anyway, last night I poured 2 boxes of baking soda on them in hopes of deodorizing them. I will let you know how it works.

By the way, I keep getting a whif of the granola baking in the oven. ( on a pampered chef stone no doubt ) It smells PrEtTy amazing.

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Ok. It's done. And I really like the flavor. The only change I would make would be to not bake it as long. My oven bakes hot and I think it's way to done. Some parts have almost a burnt flavor to it.

But I will most certainly be making it again.

In other news......

Guess who decided she was going to potty train!!! We woke up yesterday morning and thought today is the day. And she did it. She had one tiny accident yesterday at nap time but she knew she had to go and was trying to get there. Which I still consider a success.

She has even gone #2 on the potty. *woop woop

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Goodness, now it is well into the afternoon.

We ( Maddie and I, who was on a serious book shortage )  went to the library. It was Emma's first time to the Library. She picked out 1 book. Lol. If you know me, I will probably forget to return her 1 book and the stupid thing will cost me an arm and a leg. I think I am going to set a reminder in my phone to return the book. Maybe that will help. May I also add, no accidents at the library?! :)

I have a party tonight. I love saying that I get to go to a party. That's what it really is. I get to spend time with people and try and help them releave some stresses of the day. We get to relax and enjoy each other's company even if just for a little bit.

I have in the oven a roast. I usually do it in the crockpot on low all day. But today I am trying it out in the Deep Covered Baker. I will let you know how it goes.

Last night I cooked 2 pork tenderloins.... in the microwave. EEK!!!! I am not usually a microwave chef, but I will tell you, they were surprisingly moist and juicy. I made a homemade BBQ sauce and we had BBQ Pork over some Hawaiian Sweet Rolls. DeLiSh!!!!

Next on the agenda is a chocolate lava cake in the microwave.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

P.S. I don't think the baking soda on the couches worked. Any tips will be greatly appreciated. I detest dog smell.

Walk in His ways

I had kind of an a ha moment this morning....

Don't you love those??

I have been thrown into some uncharted waters as of late with an issue with my neighbor. We have always had good neighbors and so this has all taken my by somewhat of a surprise.

Don't get me wrong.

They are good people.

They really are.

I do not want to go into the details of all that has been happening.

But I will share my heart on the matter.

I think that healing and restoration comes when people stop pretending and start being real with each other.

I want to be genuine.

So here goes.

In the beginning I really feel that I was innocent in the matter.

I did not know where her frustration and anger were coming from. ( and I still don't ) 

But as time went on, walls were built. Walls of bitterness and anger and frustration. Walls built from lack of communication and common decency.

You can't delete your neighbor off of facebook and expect to then have them deleted out of your life completely.

Especially if we are both children of God.

Which I truly believe we are.

Which makes this whole thing even sadder.

So since this is unchartered territory.

I took it to the only place where I know to turn when my heart is overwhelmed.

I took it to the Rock that is higher then me.

Every morning, I have just poured my heart out to God. I have prayed that he would show me my heart and the wrong that I have done.

And he has.

And I trust will continue to do.

In the meantime..... I have felt this whole pulling from my sin nature to "get even" to allow my heart to be bitter and angry and to really seek to be justified in the wrong that has been invoked on me.

But when I open the bread of life.... my instruction book..... I read to love your neighbor as yourself..... to not repay evil for evil...... to love deeply..... to turn the other cheek...... to have my love be sincere ( yikes.... have you ever heard the saying fake it till you make it?? I think that's what I try to do sometimes.) But I am commanded to have a sincere love.

And I truly believe all this.

I TrY to live like this.

It is my hearts desire.

But I have FaiLeD. miserably.

I have acted out of anger and just complete frustration.

And I am sorry for that.

I don't know how to make amends now.

But I trust God to guide me in it.

But back to my point....

So I read all this stuff about how I am supposed to act and respond.....

and then I have been reading in Psalms and in Isaiah and there are verses like this...

Psalm 59:10-13 - God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. But do not kill them Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring then down. For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips,  let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.

or

Isaiah 25:10-12 - The hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain; but Moab will be trampled in their land as straw is trampled down in the manure. They will stretch out their hands in it, as swimmers stretch out their hands to swim. God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands. He will bring down your high fortified walls and lay them low; he will bring them down to the ground, to the very dust.

What a contrast right??

In my flesh..... YES!!! This is what I want. I want God to come and repay them for all this craziness, all this unrest.

Back to my Aha moment....

 I really am getting to it.

After pondering these verses.....

I ran across this little prize.

Isaiah 26:7-8 - The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desires of my heart.

I think that yes, God WANTS me to be kind and loving. He knows I am going to fail, but that is the beauty of Him. He is quick to offer grace and mercy and forgiveness at the foot of the cross. And in so doing, I can pour grace and mercy and forgiveness on those around me. And I am willing to do so.

The difference in these verses that I see is that the showing love to my neighbor part implies something that I am commanded to do. It is up to me to die to myself, to my flesh, to the part of me that wants to get even. And the verses in Psalm and Isaiah are up to God to deliver.

It is my job to stay connected to the Giver of Life. To my Abba. To my Lord.

He promises that He will protect me from harm. And from those who slander and have an evil intent in their heart. He has promised that He will vindicate me.

My job is to walk in the way of His laws. And even though I feel like I am not quite walking... more stumbling through this life, being tripped up by my own stupidity.... I wait for Him.

Because His name and renown are truly the desires of my heart.

I WaNt others to see Jesus in me.

Even though I fail at this on a daily basis.

To be moldable clay that God can form and turn into a thing of beauty.

Love each other deeply

My heart is kinda a big pile of jumbled mess. One that I am fervently trying to let God figure out.

I don't know how much to "put out there" or if I should even be blogging about this at all. And I don't honestly even know quite where to start.

I have liked to think of myself as "one who loves" maybe I have deceived myself. I have thought that I was pretty easy to get a long with. Of course there is always those few who really grate on your nerves and you can't stand. But I had few people on that list. I would and still do overlook a lot of faults bc I know we are all human and everyone of us have quirks. But for the most part, I thought I was pretty easy to get a long with. How you see me is pretty much how I am. I try my best to be open and honest with anyone who cares to get to know me. I really like to try to get to a deeper relationship with people. I feel that is where we learn the best from others.

I have recently encountered a situation where someone's actions have befuddled me to the very core of my being. They are a loud, professing Christian. Yet they are acting as anything but Christ-Like. ( I think I need to rewrite the book....When Godly people do ungodly things. )

I don't necessarily think that this person is attacking me personally, but the neighborhood as a whole.

To say that she is upset is putting it lightly.

For what.

I'm not quite for sure.

She won't talk to anyone. At all.

She has deleted and blocked us all off of facebook and then seems to thinks that she can delete us all out of her life.

She wants to end any cordial communication, and will seek this matter lawfully is she needs to.

What matter?

Again.

Don't really know.

This is where I am confused.

As a Christ follower.... am I ever allowed to just end a "cordial" relationship?

Romans 12:16a - Live in harmony with one another

17-21 - Do not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to revenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty; give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13: Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

I John 3:18 - Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:23 - 24 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.  The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

I John 4: 7-21 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

I John 5:2 - This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

I am not saying that I have this all figured out. I don't.

I absolutely love the peace and life that the word of God brings. You go to the Father for leading and direction, and he pours it out to you.

The hard part is putting it into practice.

The hard part is not loving in speech, but in action.

Dear neighbor. If you are reading this, please hear my heart. I refuse to end a cordial relationship. I am commanded by our Father not to.

1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin.

Above all, love each other deeply. because love covers a multitude of sin.

Above all, we are commanded to love. Deeply.

Love.

Christ love.

Agape love.

Will cover a multitude of sin.

Your sin.

My sin.

I want to be known as a child of God.

I want our neighbors to see that their is a God and that he is a God of love and peace. Not hatred and bitterness and strife.

I John 2: 3 - 11   We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.  Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.  But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

I do not want to live in darkness. I do not want this little....good....corner of our world to be covered in darkness brought on my the evil one.

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I know my battle is not with you friend.

When you are ready, I have something to give to you. I saw it at the store and thought of you. I would love to give it to you over the magic fence.

 

I blame it on the weather.....

So this week saw me with an unplanned project.

It was one of those days that I saw 1 thing that had to be done, which led to something else, which led to something else, which led to painting the cabinets.

That's normal.

Right?

My friend Tancy and I joke about my cabinets. They aren't exactly the most organized. I know where everything is. But.... well.... they drive her nuts. Like NUTS.

She's even come over and organized them for me.

Anyway.

Tancy isn't the issue. (this time)

My cabinets were.

When I painted the top cabinets blue. I didn't love it.

I dealt with it bc we just went through all this work to paint them, I couldn't be like..... yah, Jeremy, I hate the blue. Let's paint them again.

So I dealt with it.

Until this week.

You see, I was kinda bored. The weather was cold and rainy, so Emma and I couldn't go outside.

I just happened to have a gallon of paint laying around.

Well.

The rest is history.

It brightens up the kitchen, which I need, bc I have terrible lighting in there. I am so jealous of you women who have a beautiful window over your sink.

I'm thinking about removing ^ that piece of wood in the middle of this cabinet. I think it would look better.

Anyway. Hope you all have a great weekend. This lady has exciting news coming! Come back soon!