Star Light, Star Bright

Star Light Star bright,
The first star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

My daughters love to wish on stars. Before you jump on me for bad theology, just know it's all in fun. We also make wishes on birthday candles, turkey wishbones, and dandelions before blowing them. It's childhood fun.

The other night as I drove my ten year old to an activity, she saw a bright "star" in the night sky. "Is that a star or the moon?" she asked.

To find out what it was, read the rest of this post at Titus 2 in Action, by clicking the button below.

The Combs Family

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. See you in 2010!

Merry Christmas

Dear Blog Friends -

I am so excited to begin preparing for Christmas! I love the holidays! I love planning for Christmas and the joy of gift giving, cooking, spending time with family and special friends, and most of all recalling the gift of Jesus birth.

In order to fully and completely enjoy the holidays, I have decided to take the ENTIRE month of December off from my blog! If I feel led by God, I may do a post, and if you follow my blog you will receive notification of that. But unless its God's plan, MY plan is to take the month off.

Please continue to visit me at my Examiner page. I will also be making guest contributions on December 2nd, 16th and 30th at the Titus 2 in Action blog. So visit me there as well.

I pray you have a joyous, wonderful and special Christmas. May you remember that Jesus is the reason for the season!

Christmas Miracles

This isn't a book review. I haven't read the book show here, Christmas Miracles, by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson. No, but I was almost published in it. I submitted my story of a Christmas miracle to this book, and received the response that it would be included with the other stories of people who experienced miracles at Christmas.

I was overjoyed! To be published in a REAL book would be so amazing, and something with Cecil Murphey's name attached to it, unbelievable. Soon thereafter I received my contract and signed and returned it, eagerly awaiting the book's publication. But then somethings happened. "We regret to inform you...." Seems the publisher thought the book was too long. Six stories had to be cut. Six. One of them mine.

The disappointment was pretty big. No publication, no name in print. It stung. Time has passed, and my wound has healed, but to see the book in print does recreate the longing. But I made a connection with Cecil Murphey and have had a chance to email with him a few times. He is really nice, and I'm blessed by the connection. I've submitted my story to another venue (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and I can hope it will be accepted there.

So I have a choice. I can decide to be miserable that my story wasn't published, or I be thankful for the connections made and hope for another chance to be published.

What disappointments are facing you this Christmas? What will you decide? To be miserable, or to find something to be thankful for, and to look ahead with hope. If we could all change our thinking to be thankful and hopeful, well wouldn't that be the biggest Christmas miracle of all?

Romans 5:3-5 -- Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

This devotional will be printed over at Eternity Cafe tomorrow as part of the 40 Days of Focus, to focus on the 40 days before Christmas. This is to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus' birth, as well as prepare our hearts for His triumphant return. Why not head over and visit?

Thankful Thursday - Thanksgiving Edition

5 things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving

1. Spending Thanksgiving with my in-laws who I adore. I am blessed with a God-fearing mother-in-law who blesses my heart.

2. Food to eat, and a plenty of it.

3. Safe travels to and from my in-laws home.

4. Freedom of religion - you can't think about Thanksgiving without remember the Piligrams who created it, and how they came to America for that freedom. This website has some interesting facts, including how the Piligrams fasted and prayed over their dry and dying crops. Then the rains came, and to celebrate the Governor created the first real Thanksgiving.

5. The Christmas Season is beginning! To me, Thanksgiving is the foreshadowing of Christmas, you know it will soon be here. I love the CHristmas season, the time of love and joy and peace, and to think that it is the birthday of my Savior. This is my favorite time of year, and I am thankful for it!

May God bless you this Thanksgiving Day! Click the button below to see what others are thankful for today, or leave a comment by clicking "Chatty Comments" below.

Thanksgiving Meme

1. How will you be spending your Thanksgiving this year?
We are going to Iowa to visit my in-laws. I love my inlaws, so I'm looking forward to seeing them.

2. Will you be cooking or are you just an eater?
Usually I am a cooker, but because the inlaws live in assisted living, I'll be eating in the cafeteria with them.

3. Do you watch the parade every year or football!!
The kids and I love the parade, and after we eat, hubby watches football.

4. Whats your favorite float?
I like the floats that have the singers on them, because they're always lip syncing horribly, and that amuses me. My favorite part of the parade is the dancers from the Broadway shows.

5. Dark meat or white meat? White
6. Leg or breast? (this question seems remarkable similar to #5) breast

7. What is your favorite dish besides the turkey?
My dad's dressing is the best, my sweet potato casserole rocks, and who can resist dessert?

8. Homemade cranberry sauce or cranberry sauce from the can?
Homemade. Does ANYONE actually prefer the canned?

9. Do you decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving day?
I usually pull everything down from the attic on Thanksgiving Day, and start decorating the day after and spend the whole weekend doing it. Since we'll be out of town, I'm alittle stressed about starting decorating a weekend later. But it will all come together.

10. What are some special family traditions?
I don't really think my family is big on Thanksgiving. Because my dad has Thanksgiving with his wife's familiy, and my brother used to live out of town, and I vary between thanksgiving at home or at Iowa, and my sister ET always invites any friends who have no place to go, Thanksgiving is more hodge-podge for us. I've had Thanksgiving at my house with "strangers" who are friends of my sisters, so it's always interesting! I'll miss all "my people" while I'm in Iowa with "John's people" but I always have Christmas here in Virginia. That's where the special family traditions are for me.

11. Pumpkin pie or pecan? Chocolate (duh!)

12. What is your favorite thing to do with the leftovers?
Eat them! (is this a trick question?)

13. How long will you spend eating your thanksgiving meal?
Probably 40 minutes...but hours visiting after the meal.

14. Are you worried about putting on weight this Thanksgiving?
Not worried, but I expect to put on weight over the holidays and take it off in the new year. It's the American way!

15. What do you normally eat at Thanksgiving?
Turkey, dressing (NOT stuffing), Sweet potato casserole, green beans, rolls & pie.

16. What will you be thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Spending time with my in-laws, who I only get to see once or twice a year.

17. What is your best Thanksgiving memory?
My oldest Thanksgiving memory is sitting out on the screened porch of my Grammy's house at the kids table and eating Thanksgiving. She had SO MUCH food, and never sat down but served everyone the whole time. She was an awesome cook. I don't have a best memory, but being my hubby & kids is the best Thanksgiving.

18. Do you give cards or presents at Thanksgiving?
Usually neither, although sometimes I'll send a couple of cards.

19. Are you planning on going shopping the day after Thanksgiving?
NO! I avoid shopping Thanksgiving weekend. I hate the crowds. I like to shop during the week while the kids are at school, and most people are at work. I usually love decorating all weekend, but this year, I'll be enjoying time relaxing at the inlaws, and will be rested and ready to tackle everything upon our return home...I hope!

20. Will you be waking up early to hit the sales?
See #19 above. ;-)

Psalm 69:30 -- I will praise God's name in song and glorify him
with thanksgiving.

"Jesus!"

This is a song by new artist Robert Pierre. He is only 17 years old, but what a talent! I think he's really going to go far. The words of this song are so true. When we have nothing else to pray, we can just call "Jesus" and He hears.

Busy?

"B.U.S.Y -- Being Under Satan's Yoke." That is the acronym that was posted on a church's sign board. In this time of multi-tasking that we live in, is it really a sin to be busy? Let's read some Bible verses and see what we can dig up.

Meet me over at Titus 2 in Action to read more.

W.W.K.D. - Part 2

Yesterday I posted about how a friend wonders "What would Kelly Do?" when making decisions because she doesn't know what Jesus would do. While I found that immensely flattering, the thing is what Kelly does do is often sinful. I can be selfish, willful, prideful, judgmental and a slue of other ugly things. I try to do what's right, but let's just say the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I, too, have been praying for a mentor person in my life for a long time. Years long. But I came to realize something recently. God doesn't want me to have a mentor. He wants to be my mentor.

When I was a young woman, my friend Sonya came along side me and taught me so much about God and being a Christian. As a matter of fact, I held Sonya high on a pedestal and my mantra was "I want to be like Sonya!" I was blessed to have someone else in my life who told me in no uncertain terms what I should want is to be like Jesus, not Sonya. Because bless Sonya's heart, she too is a sinner. We all are. We need to cast our eyes on Jesus.

In 1 Samuel 8, the Israelites beg for human king to lead them. This wasn't God's will, He was leading them, He was their King. But they wouldn't back down, so He gave them a king, which costs them their freedom, their goods, their children, and they eventually cried out for relief from that king they so desperately wanted.

Who are you looking at in your life as your mentor, king, or person you esteem wondering what "they" would do when making your decisions? I urge you to thank them, but to look to Jesus, not them, for your answers. Jesus often quoted scripture and used it to resist the temptations of the devil in the wilderness. That is what Jesus did do, and what you should do too.

Isaiah 45:5,6 -- I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Acts 4:12 -- Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

W.W.K.D?

What would be the worst insult you could receive inadvertently, that is without the person intending to insult you? Well, "When are you due?" if you're not pregnant is certainly in the top 10 of this category. However, for me if an acquaintance or friend said to me "Oh, I didn't know you were a Christian." I hope that I am living my life so that people cannot help but see Jesus.

Likewise, what is the best compliment you could receive? "Are you losing weight?" is a good one, true. But for someone to say they see Jesus in you, I can think of no greater gift.

I am close with someone who believes in God, but (without putting words in her mouth), I think she would say she doesn't have a personal relationship with him. She is learning. She says that at times when presented with a situation and she doesn't know what to do, she remembers the arm bands that came out a while ago that say "W.W.J.D. -- What would Jesus do?"

The problem is, she says sometimes she doesn't know what Jesus would do. She can't call up scripture to help her in a situation. So, she told me, she thinks "What would Kelly do?" Because she knows me well, she knows what I would do. She knows I would be trying to do what Jesus would.

Obviously reading the Bible is best. But it's said that 1 person may read the Bible, while 99 read the Christian. Try to live your life today so they know what Jesus would do because of you.

Matthew 5:16 -- In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 7: 16-18, 20 -- By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.... Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Today we talked about how nice it is to "Be Jesus" for someone.

Tomorrow, we'll cover why it's not always a good thing to "Be Jesus" for someone.

Saturday Funny

Having been under the weather recently, this just hit home with me! Hope you think it's funny too. Have a great weekend!

For Better or For Worse, by Lynn Johnston, 11/14/09

The Apple of His Eye

It’s apple-picking season. Fall is a great time to grab a Seattle’s Best Coffee and head out to the orchards to pick some apples. While picking apples, I picked up some analogies about my relationship with God.

When I come home with a big bag of apples my family has picked, undoubtedly there are some that don’t look so great. (When you have a four-year-old helper, you never know what might end up in your bag!)

This time we had some funny shaped apples that I would have never picked. However when I cut them down the middle, they look just as nice on the inside as many of the others, and taste just as fresh and crunchy too.

Meanwhile, some of those “pretty” apples that I picked weren’t so great. Once I cut them open a couple of them had a rotten core. One even had a worm inside! How did that happen? It looked so nice on the outside. Sometimes it’s hard to judge a bad apple from a good one.

Isn’t that the way it is with people sometimes? So much of life we base on the outward appearances. But the bible says: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

Sometimes the apple isn’t bad. It just has a little bruising. We all bear the “bruises” from the knocks of life. Just as an apple may have a bruise from rough handling, many of us are bruised by life. But that doesn’t make us bad apples! Bruised apples make the best applesauce. Bruised lives can make the best lessons, especially when your willing to share how God worked in your life in spite of the bruises.

How abut that ugly browning? Apples often turn brown after slicing. Soaking sliced apples in orange juice prevents them from browning. When I soak up the God’s word with daily devotion readings, it keeps me from turning ugly too. Daily time spent in God’s word keeps my attitude in check and reminds me of scriptures I can use through out the day.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Staying in the word every day, keeps you spiritual healthy!

Apple picking is a great way to enjoy a fall day. Whether you’re making apple cider, applesauce or apple butter, it all starts with apple picking which may seem like work to some. Just as regular bible reading may seem like work when you start, you will soon reap the sweet rewards of a relationship with God…sweeter than apple pie!

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 7:2 (NIV)

This is a reprint of my article which appears this month in the Inspirational Stories section at ithirstnw. My daughter is now 5.

Veteran's Day

Ugg boots - $140.00



Riding Boots - $754.00

Designer Boots - $1,332.00

Combat Boots - Priceless

THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS!!!

**Idea from Cathy Comic Strip**

Speed Trap

I was cruising down the interstate on a glorious day! The temperature was just perfect out, the sun was shinning and I was feeling fabulous. As I traveled along, a glance at the speedometer showed I was exceeding the speed limit. Well, I wasn't speeding, exactly, I was just keeping up withh traffic. I mean no one drives the speed limit, do they? Well, there were a couple of people over in the slow lane, but I mean like some body's old grandma or something. None of the cool people. I'd just stay in the middle lane and keep up with everyone else.


As I continued along, my favorite song came on the radio. Wow, I love that song! I sped up a bit, enjoying the music. I drifted over to the passing lane, so I could get out of the traffic flow in the middle lane. I was only going a little bit faster now, but it just felt right. I mean, if it feels right, you have to do it, don't you?


Suddenly I saw some flashing lights in my rear view mirror. "Oh, snap!" I pulled over. Great, the policeman was in the mood to give a lecture. Didn't I know that speeding was dangerous? I could hurt someone, or even myself. I could have an accident and end up killed. Thanking the officer (but not particularly meaning it), I took my summons and drove off, paying particular attention to the speed limit. Yes, I'd slowed down, but I wasn't happy about it. I mean who did that cop think he was anyway? He probably speed too on his off time. He was just making his monthly quota.


This fictitious account is meant to help you reflect on sin. Speeding represents sinning. How often do we do some "little thing" with the excuse that it's not really sinning, or that everyone else is doing it? Maybe it's taking the Lord's Name in vain, which I hear so often from non-Christians and Christians alike. People down play it as just a phrase or saying - but it is the name above all names! And we're using it as a swear word. But whatever "little thing" we're doing, we excuse.


Next the little thing may lead to another little thing, or a bigger thing. Sin leads to more sin. Once we begin hardening our hearts to sin, it's harder for the Holy Spirit to prompt us. And the Police Officer? He represents a godly friend. You know the person who comes to you and tells you they're worried about one of your behaviors. This analogy shows what is often best case scenario. A "thank you" we don't mean, and a changed behavior for a short time. Often times we actually get defensive or enraged that the person should point out OUR behavior. THEY too are a sinner.


I pray today for godly people in my life, and in yours, to point out our short falls. I pray for a humble spirit to hear the truth, and not become defensive. Just like speeding, sinning can lead to hurt people and even to death. May we all get caught in a "speed trap," trapping our sin and changing our behavior.

Matthew 18:15 -- If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

For Them

I am doing the Bible study Esther, by Beth Moore. She said something that really moved me. She talked about having a past. She called it a "risky identification." We try to hide that "risky identification" so that we won't be judged.

But Beth Moore said that perhaps God wants you to tell. She went on to say, "you went through it 'for them,' and if they can't see it, what good is it?"

In the Bible, when Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers he spent years falsely imprisoned before he finally was put into service under the Pharaoh. When he saw his brothers again, he didn't lament all his troubles to them, instead he said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20)

In the book of Matthew, a blind man is brought to Jesus. Jesus' disciples asked Jesus who had sinned, the man or his parents, for the man to be blind. Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (John 9:3)

What pain are you going through in your life today? Or what past pain are you holding against God because He let it happen to you in the past?

Maybe it happened "for them" to save lives or so that God may be displayed to others through your story. I have a hard time with why God let my childhood go as it did. Yes, I've even been mad at God. But to think that it happened "For them" makes it hurt a little less.

Why not try to let go of your pain today, and instead focus on who can benefit as a result of your experiences. Display God. He let it happened for them.

Digging Deeper

Do you garden? I'm not a fan of gardening. It's so much work! The worst part are the weeds. You need to pull even the tiniest weeds. It's better to get them while they are small. Those tiny little ones are the monsters of the patch a week or two later. The weeds that are close to your plants rob them of moisture and nutrients. And the worst part is, most weeds require pulling out all of the root system.

Isn't sin that way too?

To read the rest of this post, head on over to Titus 2 in Action, where I'm a guest contributor every other Wednesday, starting today!

The Recipe

When baking a cake, it calls for flour, sugar, baking powder, egg, flavoring such as vanilla or cocoa, oil or shortening, and liquid such as milk or water. Each of these ingredients is important to the recipe. Without flour, they're be no cake. Without sugar it would be bitter, without baking powder it would be flat, without egg it would be dense, the flavoring gives it the yummy taste, the oil/shortening gives it texture and the liquid makes it light. Every ingredient is important, and to take one out would change the end result.

Likewise, there are 5 ingredients to salvation. They are:
Hear
Believe
Repent
Confess
Be Baptized

You must "hear." If you haven't heard the Gospel, you can't believe it. You must believe that the Bible is true. You must repent, being truly sorry for your sins, and admit you need to turn away from them. You must confess Jesus is the Lord of your life, and finally your must be baptized.

If you leave out any of these steps, just like the cake recipe, you will end up with a different result. Follow the recipe and you'll end up with a sweet treat - eternal life.

Romans 10:9 -- That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Acts 2:38 -- Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.




For more information on how to be saved, Visit the How 2B Saved Website.

Don't forget to visit the kickoff post of Titus 2 in Action today! I'll be serving there as a guest contributor every other Wednesday, starting this Wednesday.

Vampires

Remember when Vampires were associated with evil? The old movies and scary stories of vampires included ways to avoid them (garlic) and to kill them (stake in the heart or a silver bullet). But suddenly the world has lost sight of the evil of vampires.

Vampires now are sexy and exciting. Twilight, Vampire Diaries, and other vampire shows, movies and books have made the evil alluring. At the end of the movie, the main character in Twilight asks the vampire to bite her so she can be like him.

I think that is exactly how the Devil operates. He doesn't come down in a scary swoop threatening to drink your blood and kill you. No, he fools you into believing the evil is exciting and alluring. Soon you want the evil thing, no longer believing it be evil.

I think our young people are the most susceptible to this change in perception. The world is taking what is evil and making it normal or desirable. And I find that scarier than vampires.

But there is another thing that makes Vampires go away. Do you remember? It's the cross. When you hold up the cross, the vampire shrinks away in fear. So does the devil. The cross is the power of God. Mighty is the power of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:18 -- For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Galatians 6:14 -- May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Chris Tomlin - Mighty is the Power of the Cross

Thankful Thursday - 10/29

My 5 things this week:

1. I'm thankful that my oldest daughter is better and at school this week. We got to spend 5 days of quality time together when she was out of school sick last week.

2. I'm thankful that now I get to spend lots of quality time with my younger daughter, as she is home sick this week. (!) Oh yes, she is. Her fever was 103.8 and I am so thankful that she is feeling better and her fever is now more managable.

3. Thankful for friends who have been helping me out by doing little ins and outs for me while I'm stuck at home (like picking up a supply my oldest needed at school, or delivering a meal to me).

4. I'm thankful that I'm going out to dinner with a girlfriend tonight. I need a night out, and it will be fun to eat & be merry. I'm thankful that my husband is going to stay with the kids and let me step out for a couple of hours.

5. I'm thankful that we get our puppy on Saturday. The girls CANNOT wait!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment or write a post and link up at Truth for the Journey by clicking the button below.

God's Masterpiece

This is a bit longer video than I usual post, but I thought it was so good. Watch it. You are God's original masterpiece. :-)



Ephesians 2:10 -- For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT)

The Gifts of Facebook

“Katherine sent you a cup of coffee.”

My first Facebook gift! My friend Katherine had been encouraging me to get connected by joining Facebook for a while. When I did, I was amazed at the number of my current friends who were already on the social networking website. I also reconnected with many old friends, and got to know them better. The site allowed me to connect with people I hadn’t spoken to in years.

It wasn’t long before I received the cup of coffee notification. All of my friends know I love coffee. There is something so rich in the coffee experience for me; the smell, the feel of the hot mug in my hands, the taste. It is all so satisfying to me. Imagine my surprise when I clicked the link looking for my coffee gift card and discovered there was no gift card. There was no coffee at all. It was a faux cup of coffee! While I appreciated the gesture involved, there was no satisfaction in my pretend coffee.

Next I received a notice that someone had given me a green plant. Of course it was a faux green plant. Soon someone else was “passing out drinks.” There were gifts of puppies, candies and flowers. Someone baked me a cake. None were real.

I must admit I found this whole faux gift giving rather juvenile. If the gifts aren’t real, then let’s dream big. Give me a car, boat or mansion. Why stop at a cup of coffee? The truth is, they were calling it a cup of coffee, but there was nothing behind it.

It made me think about my relationship with God. In my early 20’s, I told people I was a Christian. I didn’t go to church, or read the Bible, or even pray. I was like a Facebook cup of coffee. I said I was a Christian, but there was nothing behind it. I believed in God, but there was no richness in my relationship with God, and consequently, no satisfaction. I was a faux Christian.

I met a real Christian friend in my late 20’s. She shared truths from the Bible with me. She got me interested in learning more. I started going to church and became an active member. I joined a Bible study. While in that study, I read a passage in James that said, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.” (James 2:19) This passage surprised me. There was more to Christianity than just believing in God?

I realized that saying I was a Christian simply because I believed in God, was like saying I am giving you a cup of Facebook coffee. Saying it doesn’t make it real. Through the book of James I realized that my faith, my belief, should inspire a change in me. This change would then produce a desire to learn more about Jesus, and to act on my beliefs, not just believe. As that happened that richness was there. My outward actions matched my inward belief.

James was a good place for me to start. It was a short book of the Bible that was easily readable and understandable. I continued in Bible study, and read more and more of the Bible. Soon I was able to make decisions in my life based on what I knew was God’s will, not mine.

The more I knew about God, the more I wanted to know. As I connected with God, I received gifts from him. His gifts, however, were real. They included spiritual gifts, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the greatest gift, eternal life through Jesus.

I found there is true richness and satisfaction in a relationship with God. Like a hot cup of coffee, there is warmth there. Improving my relationship with God doesn’t require “Facebook.” It involves putting my face into the book, the Bible. That’s how I got to know God better. I am connected, and social networking has nothing to do with it.

Annie, the Puppy

Today we went to visit our puppy, Annie. She is 7 weeks old, and will come home with us next week when she is 8 weeks old. She is a golden retriever. My girls LOVE the puppies (their are 9 in the litter), and would bring them all home if they could. Cici held every one of the puppies. She doesn't care which one we bring home! Gigi is a one dog girl, and only had eyes for HER dog.

My oldest is now fever free and I hope she will STAY that way!! Back to school for her (and blogging for me!) next week. Have a great weekend!

(photos taken with my cell phone, so they're not the greatest.)

On a Coffee Break!

I don't have a latte to say! Have a grande'.

I'll be back next week with devotionals and real content!

Thanks for understanding, as I am home Day #5 with a feverish child today.

In the meantime, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month,

Read my article at Examiner.com here.

Thankful Thursday - 10/22

1 Chronicles 29:13 -- Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

1. For God's unfailing love and wonderful deeds.
Psalm 107:8, 15, 21 & 31 ALL four say, "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men."

2. For answered prayers.
Psalm 118:21 -- I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

3. For communion, taking the bread and cup to become part of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:16 -- Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

4. For fellow believers to strengthen and encourage me.
1 Corinthians 1:4 -- I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

5. For victory over death.
1 Corinthians 15:57 -- But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


I am also thankful that my 5th grader is recovering from her flu, and that no one else has caught it. It's been a long & tiresome week, but I am thankful for the opportunity to reflect and be thankful!

What are you thankful for this week? Leave a comment, or click the button below to link up at Truth 4 the Journey.

Random Dozen 10/21

Having a feverish child, this may just be the week of the meme over at Chatty Kelly's. No time for deep thoughts. Enjoy.


1. Candy corn: Your thoughts?


Candy corn is the 2nd yuckiest candy out there. It's like hard plastic. What, you may be wondering, is the first yuckiest candy? Neccos. BLAH!

2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse?


Our first conversation went like this: HE: "Is (boss's name) available?" ME: "Yes he is, may I tell him who is calling?" Deep stuff, huh.

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian?


Well, we were originally made as vegetarians, before God released us to eat meat, (Gen. 9:2-4) so I'm going to say yes I "could." However, would I? Not unless I felt lead by God, and I don't.

4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume?


It's not exactly a costume, but it is a dress. I have children, they wanted to dress the dog up. We tried it, he hated it, we don't do it anymore.



5. Name something about childhood that you miss (like Clark Bars, Malibu Barbie, cracking fake eggs on people's heads with your fist and "It's the Great Pumpkin" airing only once a year).


I don't miss anything about my childhood. I watch all the specials on TV with my kids and still enjoy them.

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for?


I don't think I've ever won a trophy. I probably don't deserve one either. So it's all okay.

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year?


This is a controversial question, people feel strongly about. I like it to start the Friday after Thanksgiving.

8. What's your favorite board game?


I'll take you on in any board game. I'm competitive. I like to win. But I don't have a favorite.

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)?


I'm not a big fan of surprises, control freak that I am. But if you want to slip me a gift, I'm okay with that.

10. Is it easy for you to say, "I'm sorry?"


Depends on who I'm apologizing to. It's easy for me to say I'm sorry to my kids, because I want to instill that value in them. The stranger I just bumped, no problem. But in the heat of an argument, it's not so easy.

11. What is your favorite candle scent?


Depends on the season! I like linen during non-holiday times. Pumpkin spice in Oct/Nov., and Christmas wreath/evergreen during the Christmas holidays.

12. October is traditionally "open house" time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you?


I would showcase my published works. I have a nice little file of them now. I would serve my famously delicious stuffed mushrooms, cheese/crackers, fruit, meatballs, spinach dip w/Hawaiian bread. I would have a champagne punch with strawberries floating in it. Everyone would have a lovely time. I've had enough parties, that even though I get stressed out about it, I've pretty much got the routine down to a science.

Daybook Entry - 10/18

FOR TODAY, Sunday, October 18, 2009... (published Monday)

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...

It's after 10 p.m. I don't have a post for tomorrow (Today!). So a day book entry seems like a good idea. At least I'm being honest!

I AM THINKING...

I'm ready to go to bed. Why didn't I write something today? It's nice to take a day off now and again. :-)

I AM THANKFUL FOR...

The weekend to rest and recharge. I haven't felt very good this weekend (neck pain), so it was nice to take it easy and not do much of anything for a change. And I don't have any plans for Monday either...just grocery shopping and housework. I'm looking forward to it.

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS...

I'm doing the Esther study by Beth Moore and really enjoying it. Both my kids love school and are doing great.

FROM THE KITCHEN...

Made a pot of chili for dinner, perfect for the cold (58 degrees), rainy day. We had some cornbread too.

I AM WEARING...

My pjs

I AM CREATING...

This blog post, so I have something on my blog in the morning!

I AM GOING...

to bed! I can't wait. I'm exhausted.

I AM READING...

Just finished an advance copy of a book that is being published in January. I can't say more, except I loved it. I'll be completing a questionnaire on it later this week. Fun times!

I AM HOPING...

My neck will feel better. I visited the chiropractor on Friday, so I'm thinking it will improve.

I AM HEARING...

The hum of the PC

AROUND THE HOUSE...

Kids asleep, hubby watching the military channel. Time for bed!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Kissing my kids goodnight one more time after they are sound asleep. Their little faces are like cherubs.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK:

Bible study, heading to a brunch, Thursday is my cooking co-op day, and a field trip with my 5th grader. So Monday (today)is my big day to do stuff around the house. **Updated this morning to say I have a sick 5th grader who will be staying home from school today too.**

HERE ARE THE PICTURES I AM SHARING:

The girls with the puppy we are getting on the 31st.