LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEEKEND!

My friend Kathy had in her blog a article about how women should take some time for theirselves to pamper themselves. They should find time to eat healthy, exercise and take care of their Temple. Because we are our own Temple of worship for the Holy Spirit. We should take time out of our busy lives to be with God and give our whole self to him each day. Its hard to do all this when you are a woman of the 21st century and have full time jobs, kids, husbands, ballgames and activities your kids are involved in. When you volunteer for Church and school things. Well, you get the point. It's just hard to stop and reflect on the fact that us women are important too. We have to have "us" time whether its to soul search, take care of ourselves or to praise God.
So, this weekend a group of girls and I are going to a secluded cabin in the woods (Yes, it has electricity, showers, Kitchen the works) and we are going to have fellowship with each other, food, nature and did I say food? Ha We all bring something we like to cook and let me tell you some of these girls can put Martha Stewart to shame. We will go on a nature hike-the weather permitting. We will play games, laugh, talk and EAT! There is this big huge deck on the back of the cabin that is the length of the whole cabin that we all sit out on and drink coffee and visit. At night we might have a glass of wine and then we all go in and pile in the beds and cotts and couches and tell stories and act like we are little girls again. Its Great and I can't wait!
So if you haven't had your "me" time in a while - take a long bath, read a book, take a walk, or just call up a girl friend and go to a movie or to eat. WE DESERVE IT!

HAPPY B-DAY TO MY BABY!

Well my baby boy is turning 4 years old tomorrow the 24th. Seems like just yesterday I was giving birth and cuddling a little bundle of joy. Now he is Mr independent. He is spiderman, superman, big boy and Best friends to Buddy our golden retriever. He is hyper, loud and all boy. He is sweet, mean, mischievous and DID I SAY LOUD!
He wants a spider man bike and superman cake. So, thats what he is getting.
He has been my child of challenges. I tell everyone if I would have had him first I would have REALLY thought about having other kids!ha He will be a very determined and strong willed adult. Those qualities are going to be great for him when he reached puberty. But, now they are very...shall I say difficult! But, I wouldn't change him for a minute. He is, like my other kids, the love of my life.
In the bible it tells how Abraham was told by the Lord to sacrifice his oldest son for God. Abraham being the loyal servant he was took a few of his men and his son to the Forrest and prepared for this event. Of course Abraham and the Lord were the only ones to know of this task. I always wonder what was going on in Abraham's mind through this. Once they arrived in the Forrest he told the men to stay there and worship and pray. He and Isaac went into the deep wood and he told Isaac to prepare wood and a fire for the burnt offering. Isaac asked were is the Lamb to offer? Not knowing what was about to really happen. Abraham said go and the Lord will take care of us. So he prepared to KILL his son and God said STOP! You obeyed me and I will now reward you for the rest of your days. And he did! abundantly.
Now could you imagine having to make this decision? Because we would take our own lives for our kiddos.
Just thought I would share that story - It just amazes me that God did that for us with his only son! Thats how much he loves us.

Powerful, through the mouth of a child

THIS IS FABULOUS!!!

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to "explain God." I wonder if any of us could have done as well? .... and he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen ! ...

EXPLANATION OF GOD:
"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers." "God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off."

"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have."

"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church."

"Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K."

Nothing I could have blogged about today would have been any better than this-

Busy, Busy

Time has change thanks to a little thing they call daylight savings. I swear I just get used to falling back then we have to go spring forward. So, we've been sprung and having more daylight is great. But, I've noticed the more light we have during the day the more I do. Like I wasn't doing enough already. For example yesterday I got up went to work, picked up the Zack and Rylie after school, went to moms they fished a little while I laid in the tanning bed, gotta fit some "ME" time in somewhere (besides, celutlite looks much better tan). Went to pick up Payton from Cheerleading practice for Sr. High try-outs. Went by the house dropped Payton off, Zack changed into shorts, took him to All Star Basketball practice, sat there for an hour and a half with my 4 year old. Went home threw together sandwiches for supper. Then I did some painting on my bathroom cabinets I am working on. Spent a little quality time with my hubby looked at the clock and it was 9:30 - WOW, so I read the bible and went to bed. Oh and today I have even more than that to do because its church night. God give me strength :) So, rememebering that God rested on the 7th day of creation, I need to do the same before I burn out I know.
You know how when your child is going through stressful stuff you stress with them? Well, here we are again going through this darn cheerleading stuff again! Man, I'm glad I played sports when I was young and didn't put my momma through this! Payton will be practicing all week and trying out Friday. There are 12 spots open with 9 returning SR. High girls trying out and about 10 Jr. High cheerleaders that Payton cheered with this year. And others that have been working their tails off for this years competition. Its going to be a tuff tryout! I watched the dance and its a doozy. Course some of the "cheer moms" (those moms crack me up-ya know the ones that tyr to make their daughters perfect) were videoing the dance so their kids could watch it and practice. It is a good Idea, but I just don't think like that. Payton I'm sure wished I did sometimes. Like uhhhh.... then.
So, Payton and I have been talking and I have been trying to assure her that God has already got a plan for her if she makes it or not its his will. She understands this and is aware that these are the little things in life, but at the same time this is a BIG thing for these her too. I understand that, I just want her to realize there is life after being a high school cheerleader that God has planned big things for her. They are at that age where its all about the here and now. I rememeber being her age and never thinking beyond high school-It was like whatever was going on at that time was it-ya know?
So, help me pray for Payton to keep foucsed on whats really important here, that she is of able mind and body to even tryout. To realize that what she already has is a blessing and thats people that love her and support her. She has continuous education, nutrition, health, wonerful friends and family and most importan, God. Let what is ment to happen, happen and put it in God's hands. Of course its hard to think of all of this when you are 15 years old and think that THIS is important. Because to her it is. Its just important to me that she grows with every step in her life good or bad. God give and he takes away. We don't like when God takes away very much but, how will we grow and learn if he only gives?

This picture was taken about a year and a half ago. How time flies. These kids are the light of my life. Everyday they amaze me. I am so proud of them all and thank God everyday for giving them to me. Now don't get me wrond some days I want to just strangle them for something or other and I'm sure they'd like to slap me around too. But, to have Rylie say, "Mom, I love you." or Payton tell me I am a good mom and she appreciates me or to hear Zack say, "mom, I want to get closer to God like you have, how do I do that?" just makes me melt.
Ya know I wish I would have shared more about God with these kids when they were a lot younger. Yes, we went to church and went through the motions. Of course the Presbytarin church we went to didn't have much youth and the services were really on an adult level that was hard for me to keep focused on and I know Payton and Zack found it hard to comprehend. (Which of course is no exuse) but, I didn't have God in our lives like we do now. So, the question Zack asked me how do I know GOd more has been weighing on his mind. He started crying the other day because he's afraid he wont go to heaven because he is having a hard time connecting with God sense he can't see him. So, I felt like a total idiot for not showing him the way of worship before now. So, if anyone knows of a Bible for his age, 10 years old, please let me know. Going to church and being involved with youth group and shout choir with Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Becky Bradley is a great way to start. They are wonderful spiritual people that do great jobs with youth.
Well, I hope everyone had a great weekend. We have All star basket ball games for Zack all day Sat. and my sister is coming in! I'm excited cause I get to baby squat my little neice on Sat. night-whew hoo

MY Bestest Bud

Well this week has been a great one so far. My Bestest friend in the whole wild world is now working here at the Tar-n-Tube with me! I've been training her so we have been joined at the hip. The new offices are not quite done yet so we are bunking up here in my office for now. Its funny cause we have to share a computer until hers comes in and we wheel our little chairs around each other taking turns. Whats real funny is Kim feel out of hers yesterday. If you know Kimberly this is not surprising she is full of grace like that.ha
when she and I get together we are like we were in 5th grade, like big old kids. Dad (our boss) knows this, I mean we have been BF for over 25 years, so we have to act professional at work.
Which the small group at church I go to just went over this subject (no not the working with your BF part-ha) but to do your best at EVERYTHING you do. Work being one of those things. After working here for 14 yrs things can get routine and its easy to just go through the motions. Its easy to take things for granted with ole pop being my boss. Its easy to forget that I've got a great job and could be working plucking chickens at Tyson or something(which no offense to those who do-I admire them for doing whatever it takes to make a honest living) So, I am going to do my best and what a bonus to have My BF working along side me everyday. God is good and he put her in my life for a reason (Believe me she has been my rock), but he is really great to have met her needs as well-a new job with great pay and benefits and to have met mine- Making a reason to want to come to work even greater!

The "Compass"

Stephanie Marshall...In her own words.
Just a little background, my husband Ryan and I have three kids Payton, 15yr, Zack 10, and Rylie 4 years old.

I have always beleived in God. I just lost my way for a while. It was during this time that I disconnected form Him as I went through a lot of years of personal conflicts. On the outside I seemed to be alright, while on the inside I was angry, hurt, lost and confused. I became a bitter person and this not only affected me, but also my children and family. I felt like a failure, and become this person I didn't know or like. I was confused and searching for answers. I was at my wits end! It was then that my best friend of 27 years lost her 9 mo. old dauther. There I was, with this defeated attitude. I have a wonderful life and family and was ashamed of how I had taken it all for granted.

So, I started praying and reading the bible everyday. Some dear friends of ours Kyle and Donna Helms invited us to FBC and a small group they were going to for 40 days of community. Ryan and I had talked about getting our family back into church. In August of 2006 we started attending FBC and this small group. The people we met were wonderful! We couldn't get enough. I was so excited about what God was doing in my life and I finally felt at peace. From the moment I walked into FBC, my life was changed. I heard the praise band worship and I felt a connection to God in a way I'd never felt before. I knew I had to be a part of this!

That was 6 months ago, since then I have been baptized by our new and wonderful Pastor Darrell Bridges. I now worship God everyday. I am continuously educating myself with the Lord's Words. As a memeber of FBC I am active in small groups, the praise team, choir and the church community as a whole. I have peace in my life that I've never felt before. Besides being a mother, daughter, sister, wife and Friend, I NOW know my purpose in life. I wished I would have discovered this years ago, but I know I had to go through what I have, to be where I am. I am truly blessed! God is working in my life and I am excited to see what he has planned for me and my family. "In the world you will have tribulations: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"-Joh 16:33.

I know that on the path of life there will be many right and wrong turns, stop signs, green light and road blocks. But, with God, my family and the church family at FBC, I will be okay

This was the article in the "Compass" that was mailed out for March I told you I would share. It turned out to be really nice. (except for the picture that I have no clue who took and where I was-but it wasn't very flattering!) Anyway, I just talked from my heart and tried to keep it simple. I could have gone into more detail but, that would have been way to much Info like Kathy types on her blog TMI.